The elegant male nude photographs of George Platt Lynes, many never before published, from a newly discovered archive of negatives. George Platt Lynes was the preeminent celebrity portraitist of his day, shooting for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and creating distinctive photographs of iconic cultural figures such as Diana Vreeland, Salvador Dalí, and Orson Welles. But he also produced a separate body of work, kept largely hidden during his lifetime: photographs of the male nude. Many of these photos were shot in the studio and, like his fashion and dance work, were painstakingly posed and lit. They have a cinematic allure that evokes 1940s Hollywood and the lost era of New York’s café society. Many seem to illustrate some unwritten mythology. Others reveal private obsessions of the photographer, who was always alert to the sculptural qualities of a young man at his most vital. This is the only Platt Lynes book to focus on the male nude images in a comprehensive and carefully considered manner. It is the first book to be published with the cooperation of the artist’s estate, which has provided unprecedented access to institutional and private collections, including the Kinsey Institute and the Guggenheim Museum. The result: a trove of unpublished images that are sure to cause a sensation.
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About the Author
Steven Haas is an art historian and a photographer. His ads have appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and The New York Times. George P. Lynes II is the nephew of the artist. Allen Ellenzweig is an art and photography critic and the author of The Homoerotic Photograph.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
George Platt Lynes (15 April 1907 - 6 December 1955), American fashion and commercial photographer, was a legend in his own time. He was one of the most sought after fashion photographers as well as the artist selected by such diverse luminaries as Yul Brynner, Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau, Tennessee Williams, George Tooker, Orson Welles, Diana Vreeland and a host of others to capture their personalities for posterity. But in his private life he elected to photograph the male nude, almost always in a studio setting complete with props, dramatic lighting, references to mythological characters, and poses that modeled a striking resemblance to the ballet figures whom he also photographed for archival or publicity purposes.
This fine Rizzoli publication is important not only as an excellent reconstruction of the images captured by Lynes, but also because it represents the first publication of many of the images that were either never printed or published - in other words, this book provides the premiere of many of George Platt Lynes most secret images. The works are sculptural and in keeping with the timeframe during which they were created they are not presented as erotic ideas. This work could be considered 'cold' by some critics, but for the photography aficionado this collection is the a representation of the consummate art of one of the last centuries great photographic artists.
Essays by art historian/photographer Steven Haas, George Platt Lynes II (the artist's nephew) and Allen Ellenzweig provide learned insights to both the man and his art. George Platt Lynes died of lung cancer in 1955 at the young age of 48. He was and remains an icon. Grady Harp, May 11
This fine Rizzoli publication is important not only as an excellent reconstruction of the images captured by Lynes, but also because it represents the first publication of many of the images that were either never printed or published - in other words, this book provides the premiere of many of George Platt Lynes most secret images. The works are sculptural and in keeping with the timeframe during which they were created they are not presented as erotic ideas. This work could be considered 'cold' by some critics, but for the photography aficionado this collection is the a representation of the consummate art of one of the last centuries great photographic artists.
Essays by art historian/photographer Steven Haas, George Platt Lynes II (the artist's nephew) and Allen Ellenzweig provide learned insights to both the man and his art. George Platt Lynes died of lung cancer in 1955 at the young age of 48. He was and remains an icon. Grady Harp, May 11
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By AlexsDad
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The photos in this book are amazing. The use of black and white and lighting captures men in various states of undress, nudity and full arousal. So many reactions to the photos are elicited from the artistry of the photographer and the model. Amazing.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By James Singer
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's nice to have all these male nudes collected in one book. George Platt Lynes has been somewhat forgotten these days. His staging and lighting were fantastic. The plates are great and Rizzolli has done a super job in this publishing.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
George Platt Lynes personal photos of dancers lovers and friends are exquisite to say the least. if you are human,straight or gay these incredibly lit photographs rival any photography of his era before or after.This group of photographs celebrate the human form in an ideal and surrealistic manner.The influence of Man Ray is evident.As noted by his nephew George Platt Lynes the second,Platt Lynes lived the high life even when he couldn't afford to.These works show an intense artist with high level aesthetics .
he may have lived rather turbulently,but the art speaks legions.This is a must have volume.I will never forget the photos in this book.Like great paintings or scupture they resonate in a personal way..inside you
he may have lived rather turbulently,but the art speaks legions.This is a must have volume.I will never forget the photos in this book.Like great paintings or scupture they resonate in a personal way..inside you
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a wonderful addition to the male nude photography genre! George Platt Lynes has always been noted for his photos but this collection surely brings him to a higher level in the photography world.
By JFS
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is outstanding. The photographs are all black and white. The photographer's use of light and shading is fascinating. George Platt Lynes' work is famous and this book is an excellent representation of why.
By Marc Legill
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was happy with these early photographs of the male nude photgraphed by George Platt Lynes in a time when these photos were taboo. A bold statement to be who you are and to be comfortable with yourself no matter who you are.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Photographs as only George Platt Lynes could create and well written text. A must for the person interested in homoerotic photography.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and fascinating!
This is a wonderful book by a famous photographer of vintage nude male photography. Also, very interesting in the profile of its photographer's life through images as well as... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Grant Richards
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book Worth Having
Probably no photographer of the male form has had more photographic or artistic talent. His poses and lightging are superb. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Careful Buyer
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