#galdi by plüschow

Despite being titled merely “Boy with Spear”, I (and all those who have followed for long enough to recognise one of the undoubted stars of this collection) can add that the classically handsome 19-year-old model in question is none other than Vincenzo Galdi. We have even seen him holding this spear once before.

Edoardo with Vincenzo Galdi, photographed by Guglielmo Plüschow in the 1890’s, in a pose perfectly capturing homoerotic longing and lust - a desire satisfied in the tentative tender kiss found later in this set.

Vincenzo Galdi, photogaphed again by Guglielmo Plüschow - this time his beauty left to shine unembellished by the usual garlands of leaves or flowers, a simple portrait to capture an unforgettable face for all eternity.

Another gorgeous portrait of Vincenzo Galdi by Plüschow, this often-repeated pose perfect to highlight his handsome profile and beautiful neck & jawline, his hair a ruffled mess of curls when let to grow longer.
Beginning his involvement with photography as a model, he went on to become a photographer in his own right, breaking all boundaries between the sensual nude and provocative erotica - see my collected examples of his work here.

The utterly gorgeous Vincenzo Galdi, posing in profile for his mentor Guglielmo Plüschow c1890. We have seen a remarkably similar shot before, just a slight shift in position, his eyes raised a little here and more downcast in the other, and more flowers tucked into his hair - I imagine model and photographer poring over the developed prints, discussing which they preferred.

Piper, photographed in Naples c1890, by Guglielmo Plüschow - though not credited, this gorgeous, graceful model may be none other than Vincenzo Galdi - if not he then the resemblance is striking, don’t you think? He even has the same wonderfully untamed spill of loose curls as can be seen in this portrait.

The quite perfect contours of this young man’s beautiful bottom have prompted me to add a new curation tag to my collection of images here; those who admire a fine derrière can find them all here, so whether your preference is for pert, plump, or muscular - enjoy.

Vincenzo Galdi as a smouldering, sultry young man of nineteen, posing for Guglielmo Plüschow in Naples c1890, dainty narcissus flowers tied into his tousled black curls. 

The charismatic and timelessly beautiful Vincenzo Galdi, posing for Guglielmo Plüschow (who would become his lover) in Naples, some time before 1895. In this photograph from the same set, he is joined by Edoardo, and in another they share a sweet kiss upon the lips.

Much as I love Vincenzo Galdi’s striking and often erotically charged photography, it is an equal delight to see him as a lovely young man modelling for his mentor, and lover, Guglielmo Plüschow. Few of the Arcadian photographers’ models became so involved in the process of creating images, and Galdi alone went on to work as a professional photographer in his own right. Here he sits in the ruined ancient Roman city of Pompeii, around 1895 - note his toes tucked neatly around the back of his calf!

Vincenzo Galdi, photographed by Guglielmo Plüschow.

The story of these two photographers is fascinating, from Galdi being simply another handsome youth modelling for pictures, to developing an interest in photography and working alongside Plüschow, finally setting up on his own (though just a few doors down the street, their labels bearing the addresses Via Sardegna 34 and Via Sardegna 55). Accurately attributing work to the right man is near impossible while they collaborated, some copies of the same photographs are signed by one and some by the other.

Adding to my ever-growing little collection of Vincenzo Galdi as model not photographer, this sweet shot from the 1890s, a dash more decorous than most as he covers more than he reveals.

Speaking of Galdi, here is the handsome young man himself, on the right. His friend Edoardo models with him in several other photographs, most notably this one which I’ve seen credited as the first kiss between two men to be recorded on camera - I hope this is true, as it is such a charming example! 

By Guglielmo Plüschow, Naples, before 1895.

Vincenzo Galdi, photographed on Posillipo hill near Naples, by Guglielmo Plüschow. It’s quite curious seeing someone I so often mention here as a photographer, instead being the model - but he was a photogenic little thing in his youth, wasn’t he!

A youthful Vincenzo Galdi modelling most charmingly for Guglielmo Plüschow, in the late 19th Century. His creative progression - from model, to assistant, to photographer in his own right, and finally gallery owner - makes for an inspiring story, and I find these early images so artistically recording the first stage in his lifelong passion truly fascinating as well as lovely to look upon.

One of the most sensual and intimate poses photographed by the rather brilliant Guglielmo Plüschow, working in Italy in the late 19th Century. The boy on the right seems to have thrown himself wholeheartedly into the pleasure of kissing, the other appears a little less keen!