What a beautiful classically-inspired scene from von Gloeden; quite typical of his work, and quite lovely!
Four confident and classically elegant models clasp hands and pose in leafy unspoilt countryside, for the camera of Guglielmo Plüschow around the turn of the last century - could they be the same group seen enjoying a similar setting in this photograph?
A skilfully composed garden scene by Wilhelm von Gloeden, taken toward the end of the 19th century at his villa in Taormina, Sicily.
A further page of Louis Jean-Baptiste Igout’s reference photographs for artists, published between 1870 and 1880 by A. Calavas as an affordable and convenient alternative to life models, and especially useful for amateur artists working at home.
Taken in the November of 1904, this photograph of Pancrazio Buccini Il Moro and a much taller friend (whose name is sadly not recorded) has been censored - at the time of publishing, not a modern digital edit - by the careful drawing in of a white loin cloth. This is not the only time this appears in von Gloeden’s work, as the examples here and here do show!
In the garden of von Gloeden’s own villa above Taormina, toward the end of the 19th century; one model strikes a pose while the other seems preoccupied with the flowers!
A postcard from the 1910s, published by the firm Galifi, and featuring a photograph by Wilhelm von Gloeden taken in the 1890s. The model on the right is Pascquale Stracuzzi, I regret I cannot recognise his companion from behind!
The model on the left is surely the most eyecatching in this scene captured by Wilhelm von Gloeden, stunning looks and a magnificent physique, the translucent fabric slung loose and low below his waist tantalising the admiring eye rather than an overly modest cover-up! The model in the centre does much to match the allure of the first…but the sidetracked chap on the right really could try harder!
Another full page of anatomical reference nudes, posed by anoymous artists’ models, photographed in the studio of Louis Jean-Baptiste Igout, and published by A. Calavas, between 1870 and 1880.
A second photograph of this trio, posing for von Gloeden; sadly in need of a little de-creasing, but still a gorgeous image of male affection and intimacy at the end of the 19th century. If anyone has an unspoilt copy they would like to share with our ever-appreciative audience, please do send it in!
A much-improved copy of a photograph I’ve shared here before, three handsome young men pose for Wilhelm von Gloeden in the late 19th Century, their expressions transforming this into something uniquely beautiful, and open to interpretation - innocent platonic affection, or lustful longing? The model on the left certainly seems to lean toward the latter.
A sweet joyous moment captured forever, Il Moro (right) and his taller companion - we have seen this pair pose with such intimate affection before - standing one summer in an open sunny meadow, flecked with thousand upon thousand of tiny bright flowers.
Two fine-figured and handsome-featured young men pose, pressed close, for the camera of Wilhelm von Gloeden, in this gorgeous scene from late 19th century Italy. We have seen the model on the left posing against this prettily painted door before, here.
Dating to 1905, this glorious flower-strewn scene of summery bliss created by Wilhelm von Gloeden was sold as a postcard (the publisher’s initials AE a co-incidental match for this very blog!). A fine souvenir for the traveller to treasure, or perhaps a treat to send home to a friend who shared the same appreciation of aesthetic beauty and male beauty combined!
