Classical Nudes and the Making of Queer History

One quick and efficient way to deny a culture and to rewrite history is to destroy its art. Considering how much art was destroyed and hidden over the centuries by various religious and political forces, it is amazing that so much still exists.

A new exhibit at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art speaks to the importance of recognizing our history in art and culture. It traces the same-sex gaze as grounded in the classical form, from antiquity to contemporary times. Curated by Jonathan David Katz, "Classical Nudes and the Making of Queer History" establishes the centrality of the classical nude in the historical development of same-sex representation by following a chronological timeline of four major periods.

"Classical Nudes and the Making of Queer History"
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art
October 18, 2014 to January 4, 2015
The Museum is located at 26 Wooster St. in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Admission is free, and hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 12-6 p.m., and Thursday, 12-8 p.m.

Ruth Bernhard, Draped Torso, 1962, selenium-toned silver gelatin print, 12.75 x 8.25 in. (c) Ruth Bernhard Estate. Courtesy Peter Fetterman Gallery, Santa Monica, Calif.

James Bidgood, Pan, 1965, c-print, 22 x 22 in., (c) James Bidgood, Collection of Michael Sodomick.

Albrecht Durer, The Men's Bath, ca. 1498, woodcut, 14.438 x 11.125 in. New York Public Library.

Jean-Leon Gerome, The Serpent Charmer, 1894, photogravure, 7.75 x 11.75 in. Museum Purchase. Collection of Leslie-Lohman Museum.

Herbert List, Beneath the Poseidon Temple, 1937, silver gelatin print, 11.614 x 10.827 in. (c) Herb Ritts Foundation. Collection of William Zewadski.

Michelangelo Buonarroti, Study of Satyr (The Last Judgement), 1540, black chalk on paper, 7.25 x 11.75 in. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Borghi.

Zanele Muholi, Caitlin and I, 2009, c-print, 17.125 x 23.75 (triptych). (c) Zanele Muholi. Courtesy of Yancey Richardson Gallery, New York.

Jacopo Pontormo, Study of a Male, 1528-1530, red chalk on paper, 14 x 6 in. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Borghi.


Jean Jacques Pradier, Standing Sappho, 1848-1851, bronze, 33.875 x 14.563 x 13. In. The Dahesh Museum of Art, New York.

Florine Stettheimer, Nude Study, Standing With Hands Clasped, late 1890s, oil on canvas mounted on board, 30 x 18 in. Columbia University.

Del LaGrace Volcano, The Three Graces (Jasper, Suzie & Gill, London) 1992, digital c-print, 23.5 x 30 in. (c) Del LaGrace Volcano. Foundation Purchase. Collection of Leslie-Lohman Museum.

Wilhelm von Gloeden, Untitled, ca. 1930s, B/W photograph glued to board. Foundation purchase. Collection of Leslie-Lohman Museum.

Friedrich O. Wolter, Drei Grazien, n.d., photograph, 5.5 x 3.5 in. Foundation purchase. Collection of Leslie-Lohman Museum.