The connections don't stop in the nineteenth century. Mid-century painter George Quaintance built his idealized worlds around a relatively small circle of models, many of whom also appeared before the cameras of physique photographers.
1. Jim Glasper in blue cowboy hat and boots with saddle by George Quaintance - mid '50s.
2. Caption says, "This study of JIM GLASPER, trophy-winning Arizona bodybuilder, is by Quaintance.
3. Caption reads, "JIM GLASPER was chosen for the basic figure work in "Saturday Night" because his physique has shape, in any pose. All four figures are Glasper's, although other types were added to faces."
4. Glasper nude study back view by Quaintance.
5. Caption reads, "Jim Glasper, the essence of clean-cut American youth. Jim at 17 is an enthusiastic bodybuilder. Photo by Quaintance, Box 192. Phoenix, Arizona, Catalog. $1.00."
This post features Jim Glasper, a 17-year-old Phoenix bodybuilder who modeled for Quaintance's Sunlit Depths, Coral Reef, and Saturday Night, while also posing for Bruce Bellas. Watching the same young man move between painting and photography feels like another piece of the larger puzzle.
6. Caption reads, "JIM GLASPER, Arizona bodybuilder whose graceful, lithe physique has won him many honors. This artistic photo is by Quaintance Studio.
7. Sunlit Depths and Coral Reef - 1956 - Quaintance (all four figures based on Glasper). It should be noted that Quaintance rarely painted frontal nudity, so these two are both exceptions.
8. Jim Glasper by Bruce Bellas.
9. Glasper in red posing strap by Bellas
10. Glasper by Bellas in the desert. It is worth noting that there are many more photos of Glasper's back side than his front, which may explain his nickname "Buns."
George Quaintance lived an interesting life, but died too young at 55. Here's the inevitable wiki entry:
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Quaintance
What they don't seem to mention in the wiki are two interesting facts. First, many of his published art pieces were initially painted nude, either in studies or on the actual canvas, and the clothes were added later. Second, when he died, his Phoenix area studio was essentially looted by models who either wanted souvenirs or (more likely) didn't want their frontal nude photos to get into the wrong hands. It was 1957 after all.
Amazing! I knew Rossi got his images back, but didn’t know they were looted. Thats exactly the reason this work needs to be researched, preserved, and celebrated. It’s important and too much effort has gone into suppressing and erasing it. We’re doing a good thing, Jerry.👏🏻👏🏻bns
DeleteGreat info on the art and life of Quaintance at the George Quaintance blog. Quaintance created the art works and his lover Victor Garcia was the photographer out of their Phoenix Arizona studio/residence Rancho Siesta.
ReplyDelete-Rj