When it comes to identifying Douglas of Detroit's models, matters are complicated by the
fact that many of his records were destroyed in the police raid. Pictures already distributed up to
that point often had no names attached, but painstaking detective work by archivists has produced
some IDs. Also, it is thought that Mr. Juleff removed the names off some of his surviving work to protect his models from police harassment, something that actually happened in Detroit, but not
many other places.. He seems to have been going for a Greek aesthetic in this photo.
That is very subtle colour for its time and I note that Mr Juleff chose a green that so very much complements the dark complexion of the model. I think it a superb image. (The Μαίανδρος (meandros) or Greek Key motif at the base of the pillar reminds me of my Limoges dinner plates!)
ReplyDeleteYes, olive comes to mind.
DeleteRare color photo by DoD. Love the column (and the model too).
DeleteDid Douglas go in for lots of oil, ordinarily? Or wetr heavy coats of oil
ReplyDeleteOos. Were heavy coats of oil the thing at that time?
ReplyDeleteYes, it was the big thing, mostly because some competitive bodybuilders used oil to accentuate aspects of their musculature. I run hot and cold on the subject, but generally dislike it when it's slathered on very thickly.
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