Showcasing vintage male photography, mostly nude. You must be 18 years of age or older to visit this blog! If you hold a copyright on any material shown on this blog, notify me, and it will be removed immediately.
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Sunday, September 25, 2022
Unknown hailing a cab
The fig leaf on this unknown model looks like it was added after the fact,
leaving me thinking there was a full frontal nude at some point.
I am sure that this would initially have been a nude study. We see the growth of fig leaves and other paraphernalia in the last decade of the 19th century but particularly in the first of the 20th as a result of growing societal conservatism. It is quite untrue that Victorian society was prudish. It was in the generation that it last spawned that prudery took hold. The first half of the 20th century was thus far more conservative than ever the Victorians were. Initially, there was no censorship at all in photography and I think this study has been tampered with after the fact, possibly because cards such as these were still on public sale.
The build of the man in the above image is a direct result of the Victorian Classical Revival. Even the posture with the arm raised in a hail-fellow-well-met "Ave!" is informed by Classical art. Do please note the musculature in comparison with mid-20th century bodybuilders - let alone the roided hulks of today: the abs are more developed and the pecs much smaller and the legs less developed overall. These are Classical proportions. The hairstyle would indicate the first decade of the 19th century before the Great War - which introduced the even shorter "Prussian cut".
This is an absolutely superb image and my favourite of today's series.
This is a wonderful series! It seems to me that most of the musclemen of that era were more bulky like Pandur. Except for him, the men you are showing us are really cut, and possess finely chiseled physiques.
I don't even think they had to tamper with the original negative.. An opaque fig leaf shape could be placed on the paper [or even upon the glass holding down the paper,] and it would leave a white leaf.
Thank you for searching. I suspect many of us don't fully appreciate all the hours you put into producing this entertaining yet serious study of the male form.
That leaf really does look fake, and newer than the picture.
ReplyDeleteIt does, and the picture may not be that old. See B.B.'s comment below.
DeleteI am sure that this would initially have been a nude study. We see the growth of fig leaves and other paraphernalia in the last decade of the 19th century but particularly in the first of the 20th as a result of growing societal conservatism. It is quite untrue that Victorian society was prudish. It was in the generation that it last spawned that prudery took hold. The first half of the 20th century was thus far more conservative than ever the Victorians were. Initially, there was no censorship at all in photography and I think this study has been tampered with after the fact, possibly because cards such as these were still on public sale.
ReplyDeleteThe build of the man in the above image is a direct result of the Victorian Classical Revival. Even the posture with the arm raised in a hail-fellow-well-met "Ave!" is informed by Classical art. Do please note the musculature in comparison with mid-20th century bodybuilders - let alone the roided hulks of today: the abs are more developed and the pecs much smaller and the legs less developed overall. These are Classical proportions. The hairstyle would indicate the first decade of the 19th century before the Great War - which introduced the even shorter "Prussian cut".
This is an absolutely superb image and my favourite of today's series.
Thanks, as always, for your interesting commentary, Julian!
DeleteI have this fella listed as Emil Bonnet by Arax Studio
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Is he with or without the fig leaf?
DeleteThanks BB! The name rang a bell with me. He appeared on the cover of a few muscle mags around 1940.
DeleteThanks BB! It's very easy to confuse this guy with Marcel Rouet - I had to change a few misnamed photos just now.
DeleteYes, Emil or Emile Bonnet of France was Mr World 1938.
Delete-Rj in the IE
This is a wonderful series! It seems to me that most of the musclemen of that era were more bulky like Pandur. Except for him, the men you are showing us are really cut, and possess finely chiseled physiques.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the series, Vik!
DeleteAppears to be mimicking the statue of Ceasar Augustus. https://images.app.goo.gl/A37nbEAVpnodSrmC7
ReplyDeleteRight.
DeleteI don't even think they had to tamper with the original negative..
ReplyDeleteAn opaque fig leaf shape could be placed on the paper [or even upon the glass holding down the paper,] and it would leave a white leaf.
I hadn't thought of that.
DeleteOh, another superb one. Great to know his name and the statue that inspired his pose. If only we had the nude original.
ReplyDeleteYes, if only. I have searched and searched for full frontals to no avail.
DeleteThank you for searching. I suspect many of us don't fully appreciate all the hours you put into producing this entertaining yet serious study of the male form.
DeleteYes, it's a lot of work, but it's worth it when I guys like you recognize the fact.
Delete