Our last fig leaf hero is Georg Lurich, and this is one of three photos in my collection from what appears to be a single session using that club as a prop. One of those has been authenticated as the only known frontal nude of him. Put his name in the search box at bottom right to see it.
I have been very strongly struck in this fascinating series by the comparatively under-developed pectoral muscles in contrast to the contemporary near-obsession with them - ending with the roided hulks of today. Every age has its concept of beauty and strong thighs and abdominal muscles would possibly have been informed by horse-riding, those being the muscles most developed on horseback.
ReplyDeleteBased on purely unscientific observation, I'd say that obsession with pectorals began modestly around 1940 and then exploded in the 1970s. Does working on cars develop pectorals? That would parallel your horse riding concept.
DeleteAnother brilliant set of posts. I love the lives of some of these men overlapped with many of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks, David! Glad you enjoyed the set.
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