Al Urban

Here we see Fred Degroot (standing) and an unknown in an Al Urban photo.

I have to say the sweeping posing creates some actual drama.

 

Dan Lurie

Most of the nude photos of Dan Lurie were made by Earle Forbes,

but this one has been reliably attributed to Al Urban.

 

Al Urban Day

It's Al Urban day, and I'm starting the show with my 

favorite among his many models, John Gallagher.

 

Joe Sawacki

I was tempted to remove the yellowing from this shot of Joe Sawacki,

but I decided in the end to leave it as I found it.

 

Charles Whitlock

Al Urban took it easy on the oil for this picture of Charles Whitlock.

 

John Farbotnik

I posted a different archery themed photo of John Farbotnik

 a few years ago, but I think I like this one better.

 

Vince Perri

Here we have Vince Perri and his thick bush.

 

Jules Bacon

Jules Bacon has appeared many times on the blog,

but I don't think I've posted this photo before.

 

Fred DeGroot

Fred DeGroot is one of those models who seems to have never made a bad photo.

The problem is that there simply aren't enough of him.

 

Kenneth Pendleton

I have seen Kenneth Pendleton's height listed as both 4'11" and 5'1".  Either way, he was on the extreme end of the diminutive range of bodybuilders.  Mr. Pendleton was not bashful about posing frontally nude, but I chose this posing strap (probably drawn on) photo because is showcases the 

development that won this fine athlete several high level awards.

 

Larry Hedges

This model, Larry Hedges, is one who leaves me wishing for more as I only have 

about four photos of him.  He manages to combine his considerable size 

and strength with gracefulness, and that's not the easiest thing to do.

 

Steve Wengryn

Our last Al Urban model is Steve Wengryn, a guy who worked for at least four other 

photographers over his career.  Based on his youthful appearance in Mr. Urban's work,

 I'd say he may well have started his career with today's featured artist.

 

Urban

Closing the column series with an unknown model by Al Urban.

Note the chain around his wrist.

 

In the Beginning . . .

Today we go back to some of the earliest physique photographers.  Al Urban, Edwin Townsend, and Alonzo Hanagan, aka Lon of New York, all began their careers in New York before World War II.  Earle Forbes is also in this category, but having recently done a full set of his work, I will focus on the three first mentioned artists.  We start with Henry Karczewski by Al Urban.

 

Charles Whitlock

A reclining Charles Whitlock posed with a cigarette for Al Urban.

 

Henry Degroot

The pose in this photo of Henry Degroot by Al Urban

reminds me of a Koloman Moser painting.

 

Unknown by Al Urban

I wish we knew something about this unknown Al Urban model.

 

Al Urban

A hefty portion of Al Urban's work is of unknown models, 

and this impressive model is one of those.

 

Henry Karczewski

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1943 - Jules Bacon

Like major league baseball and football, the ranks of competitive bodybuilders were depleted by 1943 due to the World War II military draft.  Having said that, Jules Bacon still seems a worthy winner for that year.  We see him with his trophy above and in an Al Urban nude below.