Gerhardt Liebmann

We take another look today at the work of American artist and photographer Gerhardt Liebmann.

Our first item is an undated piece that might have been inspired by G.P. Lynes.

 

Man Standing

Gerhardt Liebmann used a technique with combined photographes with drawings and pastels, and Man Standing Between Two Walls is a good example.  I've enlarged the photo below.

 

Eros Unbound

This montage was put together by artist Carl Morse after Gerhardt Liebmann's death from AIDS in 1989 at age 61.  It is composed of photos of gay men taken by Mr. Liebman between 1968 and 1980, mostly in New York.  The title is Eros Unbound, the Last Generation of Free Homosocial Men.

Enlarge this if you can and see the faces of our brothers, most of whom are gone.

 

Soho

This untitled work is from Mr. Liebmann's Soho perios in the mid-1970s.

The drawn on lines are suggestive of bondage.

 

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Nude Male Dancing

This 1980 work is Nude Male Dancing, and it makes 

me think of some El Greco's elongated figures.

 

110 Male Asses

This 1978 montage is called 110 Male Asses, and I've enlarged a few segments below.

 

No Hiding

This is No Hiding from 1979.

 

Cowboy

Although mild compared to some of Gerhardt Liebmann's work,

this cowboy has a definite bondage theme.

 

Floating Man

Although it looks like the model is falling, Gerhard Liebman titled our closing image Floating Man.

 

Gerhardt Liebmann Day

Gerhardt Liebmann (1928-1989) was an American artist whose work I only discovered

 a few weeks ago.  Despite his very German sounding name, he was born in Downey, 

California and moved to New York in 1968.  Besides being a good artist and 

photographer, he was also an architect, explorer, pilot, mountaineer, 

and gay rights activist.  Sadly, he died of AIDS in 1989.  We start 

with an unknown, at least to me, half dressed model.

 

72 Hairy Chests

One of Mr. Liebmann's favorite techniques was to take group of similar photographs and group them to make an art work.  He often used color treatments and outlining to provide points of interest and break up the monotony of lined up images.  This is 72 Hairy Chests from 1979.

 

Untitled 1972

This untitled piece is from 1972.

 

Slave

The sign says "Slave for Sale Name "David" Age 24, Ht. 6'2", Wt. 185, Sold July 28, 1975                                        '

 

Ass Inspection

Here we have Ass Inspection (26 Men) from 1978.

 

Dancing

This is Men Dancing in Empty Rooms from 1979.

 

Familiar

The unnamed model here reminds me of a man who posed for Andy Warhol.

 

The Secret People

The version above is the way Mr. Liebmann wanted The Secret People from 1979 to be seen at one of his gallery shows.  I have enlarged it by sections below to better show the individual men.

 

 

1980

Just so you know, Mr. Liebmann did occasionally do more conventional art.

This is an oil painting called Nude Man with Towel from 1980.

 

Clothes pins

Our last Gerhard Liebman work is a 1970 piece featuring clothes pins.