For a century and a half, photographers have been documenting the male form in order to serve a variety of purposes, from motion and anatomical studies to models for subsequent paintings to purely aesthetic and erotic ends. The entire continuum of male nude photography is the subject of this new volume in the Icons of Photography series. Fifty extraordinary images by such masters as Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham, Minor White, Diane Arbus, Joel-Peter Witkin, Duane Michals, Nan Goldin, Annie Leibovitz, Andy Warhol and Grace Lau are presented in vibrant two-page spreads with illuminating commentary by an expert in photography. Together these pictures trace an arc through the development of photographic history, technique, and style, while also following the cultural patterns that helped define our ideas of male beauty.
Book Description
From paradigms of physical perfection to gay icons, this illustrated survey of male nude photography presents in one stunning volume various portrayals of masculinity as seen through the eyes of the world’s most renowned photographers.
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Review
"...one stunning volume various portrayals of masculinity as seen through the eyes of the world’s most renowned photographers.” -- Sirreadalot, July 2004
“A collection of extraordinary images by some of the world’s most respected artists.” -- Unzipped, July 2004
“A tasteful yet satisfying photographic celebration of the beauty of men.” -- Genre, October 2004
“Much more than just a coffee table collection of images…chronological arrangement of Male Bodies makes for an outstanding selection.” -- Library Bookwatch, September 2004
“A collection of extraordinary images by some of the world’s most respected artists.” -- Unzipped, July 2004
“A tasteful yet satisfying photographic celebration of the beauty of men.” -- Genre, October 2004
“Much more than just a coffee table collection of images…chronological arrangement of Male Bodies makes for an outstanding selection.” -- Library Bookwatch, September 2004
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Michelle7
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Covering a century and a half, many of the all-time great visionaries of the artistic male nude are featured in this epic volume. It features both famous photographers and those who might be considered a bit more obscure. But the overall vision is absolutely inspiring. Alongside each body of work from each respective photographer is a detailed and scholarly history which illuminates the life and times and work of that particular artist. It's a fascinating read and will provide students and fans of the genre with a thoroughly engaging and insightful examination. This is not a cheesy potpourri of naked men on parade, but is more of a serious, thoughtful, and intelligent study. Many of the photos are considered to be extremely rare and even longtime fans will find numerous surprises inside. If an erudite and eclectic landscape of male nudes from such varied talents as Nan Goldin, Joel-Peter Witkin, Annie Leibovitz, and Tony Butcher is what you're after, there is no better choice than Male Bodies.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.7 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost 150 color photos
Sep 15 2004
By Midwest Book Review
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Male Bodies is Emmanuel Cooper's photographic history of the male nude and holds almost 150 color photos and a documentation of over a century of male nude works by such masters as Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham, Andy Warhol and more. Much more than just a coffee table collection of images, each full-page set of nudes is accompanied by a biographical sketch of the artist involved, and the history and relevance of his/her work to the evolution of modern male nude representation. The chronological arrangement of Male Bodies makes for an outstanding selection.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Photographic History of the Male Nude of Great Dignity
Mar 27 2005
By Grady Harp
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Emmanuel Cooper has performed a significant service to photographers, artists, sociologists, and historians in creating this excellent folio of the history of photographing the male nude, from the mid 19th Century to the present. Not only does this fine book contain many superlative photographs of historical and esthetic significance, it also provides insights into the men and women who created or documented these images.
Coupled with each of well over a hundred photographs are essays or commentaries about each photographer. The artists include Imogen Cunningham, Duane Michaels, Nan Golden, Edward Weston, Diane Arbus, Annie Liebowitz among many more and the information about the influence and photographic style of each contributor is enlightening. Whether the photographers were using the male figure as a construct of sculptural beauty or as audience-specific titillation is more of casual interest than documentary importance.
What does come through clearly on repeated perusing of this volume is the altered view of the male physique from the beginning of photography to the present. Without preaching to the balcony Emmanuel Cooper merely lets the pictures and atmospheres speak for themselves. This is a very important and very beautiful collection of images, and more importantly these images are given respect and credence as the art form they truly are. Recommended. Grady Harp, March 05
Coupled with each of well over a hundred photographs are essays or commentaries about each photographer. The artists include Imogen Cunningham, Duane Michaels, Nan Golden, Edward Weston, Diane Arbus, Annie Liebowitz among many more and the information about the influence and photographic style of each contributor is enlightening. Whether the photographers were using the male figure as a construct of sculptural beauty or as audience-specific titillation is more of casual interest than documentary importance.
What does come through clearly on repeated perusing of this volume is the altered view of the male physique from the beginning of photography to the present. Without preaching to the balcony Emmanuel Cooper merely lets the pictures and atmospheres speak for themselves. This is a very important and very beautiful collection of images, and more importantly these images are given respect and credence as the art form they truly are. Recommended. Grady Harp, March 05
9 of 20 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
No beauty in this book!
Oct 25 2006
By Sir Nigel Irvine
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
If you want to study photography and the history of the nude male in photography, then you should buy this book! In that regard it is a great book. However, I bought the book because I wanted to look at beautiful naked males.
If you also want to look at beautiful nude males, then this book has little to offer. Few models in the book are what I would call beautiful and few models are young.
It really depends on what you are looking for.
If you also want to look at beautiful nude males, then this book has little to offer. Few models in the book are what I would call beautiful and few models are young.
It really depends on what you are looking for.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews
3.7 out of 5 stars
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