“Alright, boys—little oil, help each other out,” Freddy says. “I can’t risk the camera.”
Sid grins at Gene. “Careful now… don’t get carried away.”
“Lock arms—good. Now give me everything… but don’t go stiff on me.”
Freddy pauses, then nods. “That’s it—that’s the picture.”
1. Unknown Models (locking arms)
I generally focus on models—but I’m making another exception here. Frederick Kovert (1893–1949) worked on both sides of the camera. He didn’t pose nude, but he exposed himself in other ways—through drag, film, and photography—pushing at gender and sexual norms. I see him as a key link between later homoerotic artists like Paul Cadmus and George Quaintance and the rise of physique photography.
2. Unknown Model (left hand in fist)
3. Larry Carr (flexed pecs)
4. Jimmy Lewis (thanks Boz!!)
Kovert moved through early Hollywood as a silent film actor, makeup artist, and costume designer (The Wizard of Oz, 1925—pre-Hays Code). Then he turns to photographing the male nude—not just as study, but as something meant to be desired. He worked under different names—Ko Vert, Kovert of Hollywood—a trend later picked up by photographers like Lon of New York and Bruce of L.A.
5. Unknown Model (sitting on shiny draped bench)
6. Unkown Model (seated hirsute)
7. Unknown Model (backside on plinth)
Like many who came after him, his studio was raided and his work labeled obscene. Bob Mizer apprenticed under him before launching the Athletic Model Guild and Physique Pictorial. Kovert sits at an interesting moment in history—right where a number of fields with strong gay influence were starting to take shape. If you follow the threads—physique photography, film, dance, theatre, bodybuilding, drag, even early gay porn—you’ll keep bumping into him along the way.
8. Unknown Model (column, sword, and wood)
9. Unknown Model (dip on bench)
10. Buck Lewis (seated on draped box)
I’m personally drawn to him. He died at 56, by his own hand, and I can’t help but feel that loss. I would’ve loved to meet him.
Thoughts?
I don't know if he kept records of his model's names, maybe to protect them if they hadn't started using pseudonyms yet or if they were taken in police raids or destroyed after his passing, but if you have any ID's please share. I'm also not positive all of these photos are actually by Kovert, but that is how the image files are attributed. Feel free to correct any errors here.
The two photos of Kovert are fascinating. Nothing like I imagined he might be.
ReplyDeleteHe is fascinating all around. I pioneer💕bns
DeleteI do have a couple names... I'll look through a Zip drive and send you an email... Me ke aloha BozB
ReplyDeleteHey Boz, that would be swell. You can send to bushnstache@gmail.com. Many thanks! bns
DeleteFreddie Kovert is sometimes overlooked by those who chronicle the pioneer days of gay oriented physique photography. Financial issues piled on top of harrassment are said to have contributed to his suicide. There is believable evidence that for a significant part of his career he hired photographers for their technical skill while continuing to direct the productions' sets and posing.
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent history, Jerry! Thank you so much for fleshing out more details. There may be a book project emerging here. So interesting and important! More please!...
DeleteHis works stands the test, he had a good eye for models, but his use of oil could be a bit much! Had they been natural I think it would have worked much better. A sad life indeed, but it's nice that his work is still recognized and it should be. He earned his place in our history.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yes, the oil is definitely extra, but probably a fun part of the shoot, “Let me give you a hand with that.” ;) bns
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