I am not as knowledgeable as you, Clint. I like van Gloeden (though a bit suspicious about his relationship with his models), Eakins, Singer Sargent, Scot Tuke, because they were pioneers and revived the artistic premise of seeing nude males as beautiful. I am interested in the transition of youth to man, in addition to finding young men attractive when vulnerable and free of toxic masculinity. Tom of Finland is erotic but he found certain men attractive that do not fit my ephebic preferences for more androgynous bodies. Chacun a son gout.
I'm with you on the von Gloeden front, though everything I've read leads me to believe he didn't try to hide much, if anything, from the Sicilian villagers...and I suspect if they didn't like him or his ways, they would've helped him to an early departure. His non-nude portraits of the villagers and their kids are amazing. So he seemed to love people, at least aesthetically. I've spent way too much time reading about him and doubt we'd get along, though I admire his later work immensely. The adult nudes rival anything produced since in my book. His poor cousin, Guglielmo Plüschow, gets second tier status at best. Though one of the models they both shot, Vincenzo, was a remarkable artist in his own right. I'm blathering on...glad you share some of my tastes. Be curious if you have any local favorites in Thailand. (As for Tom of Finland, I like it more as a "brand" than an art, if that makes sense.)
As I said, you know these artists and photographers. It just seemed that the Sicilians were poor and he paid them enough money to induce them to cooperate. They didn't mind him.
All the artists I have met in Thailand make money from reproductions and toursity pictures of monks. Decorative art, tapestries and tradional arts also show prominence. They seem like draughtsmen rather than creative in their own style. I have seen original and creative art but I have not registered any names or been bowled over yet.
I am not as knowledgeable as you, Clint. I like van Gloeden (though a bit suspicious about his relationship with his models), Eakins, Singer Sargent, Scot Tuke, because they were pioneers and revived the artistic premise of seeing nude males as beautiful. I am interested in the transition of youth to man, in addition to finding young men attractive when vulnerable and free of toxic masculinity. Tom of Finland is erotic but he found certain men attractive that do not fit my ephebic preferences for more androgynous bodies. Chacun a son gout.
I'm with you on the von Gloeden front, though everything I've read leads me to believe he didn't try to hide much, if anything, from the Sicilian villagers...and I suspect if they didn't like him or his ways, they would've helped him to an early departure. His non-nude portraits of the villagers and their kids are amazing. So he seemed to love people, at least aesthetically. I've spent way too much time reading about him and doubt we'd get along, though I admire his later work immensely. The adult nudes rival anything produced since in my book. His poor cousin, Guglielmo Plüschow, gets second tier status at best. Though one of the models they both shot, Vincenzo, was a remarkable artist in his own right. I'm blathering on...glad you share some of my tastes. Be curious if you have any local favorites in Thailand. (As for Tom of Finland, I like it more as a "brand" than an art, if that makes sense.)
As I said, you know these artists and photographers. It just seemed that the Sicilians were poor and he paid them enough money to induce them to cooperate. They didn't mind him.
All the artists I have met in Thailand make money from reproductions and toursity pictures of monks. Decorative art, tapestries and tradional arts also show prominence. They seem like draughtsmen rather than creative in their own style. I have seen original and creative art but I have not registered any names or been bowled over yet.