Evolution of an icon
Jean Hippolyte Flandrin (1809-1864) was a Neo-Classical painter whose work tends to lack the sensuality of his master, Ingres, yet who managed to produce one picture at least which has been an inspiration to subsequent artists and photographers.
Jeune Homme Assis au Bord de la Mer (Young Man Sitting by the Seashore) was painted in 1836. The simplicity and directness of the rendering is probably intended to be reminiscent of Classical sculpture and the figures seen on Greek pottery and bas-reliefs. There’s nothing in Flandrin’s history to suggest a homoerotic intent but the picture has that effect nonetheless, and it’s to gay artists (and viewers) that the work has mostly appealed since, as can be seen below.
The first (?) copy from 1900, and a very careful imitation of the original pose. Photographer Wilhelm von Gloeden specialised in Classical-themed gay erotica and gave his figure a Biblical allusion by titling the picture Cain. Gloeden’s follower, Gaetano d’Agata, produced his own version.
Negro Nude by Fred Holland Day from around the same time.
L’Apocalypse by Pierre Yves Trémois (1961).
Ajitto by Robert Mapplethorpe (1981).
A rare sculpture version, L’Homme de l’Apocalypse by Pierre Yves Trémois (1998).
Finally, here’s my own Fallen Angel picture from 2004 which added wings to the figure.
Elsewhere on { feuilleton }
• The recurrent pose archive
• The gay artists archive
10 comments or trackbacks
#1 posted by norman hathaway
Feb 19th, 2007
c’mon then:
http://www.unshod.org/pfbc/mpstars.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/missionguild/MaxfieldParrishMidSummerPrintWeb2002.jpg
#2 posted by John
Feb 19th, 2007
Ah yeah, good old Maxfield. The stars one definitely seems like it might derive from Flandrin’s original.
#3 posted by Eroom Nala
Feb 22nd, 2007
See Eddie Campbell’s recent post
JC traces the evolution of a single pose in the work of French neoclassical painter Jean Hippolyte Flandrin (1809-1864) through six examples as it becomes a popular icon. Norman Hathaway responds to the post with a couple more, and John himself comes back with another on the 19th. I’ve always wondered what Paul Gulacy was referencing (duh!) on this old Miracleman cover (sorry to bring the tone down).
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Image:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_PeV5Fgv9e7A/Rdoi22GJndI/AAAAAAAABDg/KeYepg7XlKU/s1600-h/3080_2_05.jpg
#4 posted by Eroom Nala
Feb 22nd, 2007
whoops forgot the date of the post 20th February
#5 posted by John
Feb 22nd, 2007
Yes thanks, spotted that and left a comment.
#6 posted by maria
Apr 7th, 2007
its fabulous..
more men shud b in
#7 posted by jessy brosy
Aug 25th, 2007
its really lovely n so charming, hope more men gonna make it
#8 posted by David
May 20th, 2008
Wasn’t there a scene in “There Will be Blood” that recreated this pose by the seashore? That was my first thought.
#9 posted by John
May 20th, 2008
Hi David. I remember that scene on the beach but don’t recall exactly how it was directed. I’d guess if there was a similarity it’s probably a result of coincidence but it’s worth looking for next time I watch the film.
#10 posted by idk
Feb 13th, 2009
a woman should do it and then everyone will explode from the scandal
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