#wilhelm von gloeden

Another familiar and distinctive face this evening - as his previous picture was so deservedly well-received I thought I would include another of Asrah, the model of striking good looks who appeared in so much of Wilhelm von Gloeden’s work throughout his time in Taormina.

For this photograph by Wilhelm von Gloeden (and the kind words of appreciation which accompanied it), I extend my gratitude to Bob - who has been enjoying this collection for some time and was pleased to at last share a picture which so perfectly suits taking its place here. 

Though dark and indistinct, this von Gloeden photograph is still an evocative image of lazy, languid relaxation, catlike he stretches in the sun, a contented sigh, can’t you almost hear the hum of insects all arund him, and the birds in the wide flawlessly blue summer sky.

A sun-dappled beauty from Wilhelm von Gloeden, circa 1890.

Unlike many of von Gloeden’s nudes posed together, where any faintly suggestive sexual undertones are subtly discreet and mostly in the eye of the beholder, this stunning photograph stands out as undoubtedly & gloriously homoerotic. A passionate, intimate embrace, one’s lips to the other’s cheek - is it a softly whispered sweet nothing, or a chaste kiss we can’t quite see?

Il Grande Fauno (The Great Faun), the singularly striking close-up portrait which graces this famous set of photographs by von Gloeden. By far the largest, clearest copy of this iconic image that I have ever seen, this gorgeous picture was donated by regular contributor John - my continued gratitude, sir, for sharing your finds!

An exemplary piece of von Gloeden’s work, with all the aspects for which he is renowned : a fine model in the first flourishing of his manhood, the perfect bloom of youthful beauty still on his handsome face, the classical feel lent by carefully chosen timeless settings. And then there is the detail to fill the frame with added attraction; once we have our fill of admiring the sitter, we can take in the finishing touches which add much to the scene, a vase, a jar, perhaps sculptural stonework, and so often flowers, some significant in their meanings. He was both the first to present this style of photography to the world, and widely regarded as the best.

A few months ago I posted two different copiesofone gorgeous photo by von Gloeden, depicting one of his favourite models, usually known by his nickname Il Moro. Here we see a second shot from his posing in this little secluded sun-trap, shifting position just a little his arm now curls around the olive jar which decorates the set.

To end the month on a particularly pretty note, here is a beautiful portrait by Wilhelm von Gloeden; how sweetly he smiles, how expressive those lovely downcast dark eyes! Flowers softly resting on his hair and yet more clasped to his breast with the telltale deeply tanned hand of the outdoor worker - the only intrusion of his everyday reality into this heavenly portrait.

Laurel-wreathed and swathed in pale fabric, this young man poses as the famed Roman emperor Nero, for the camera of Wilhelm von Gloeden in the 1880s.

With a twisted garland tied into his tousled hair, this von Gloeden model strikes an elegant pose in the ruins of an ancient Roman building, the bright sun catching and emphasising his curves.

A moment of theatrical drama for two von Gloeden models here, enacting some thrilling and tragic scene from myth or legend for the camera.

Though a great many of Wilhelm von Gloeden’s amateur models were fishermen, we rarely see them photographed with boats; here is a fascinating glimpse of everyday life in the 1890s - a welcome reminder of the reality behind the idyllic scenes of artfully posed Arcadian bliss!

Wilhelm von Gloeden’s model and lifelong friend Il Moro, fixing the camera with a smouldering stare as he shows off his voluptuous curves with typical charismatic confidence.

An anonymous model posing with utmost elegance and casual grace for the camera of Wilhelm von Gloeden, in the late 19th century.

A postcard from the 1910s, published by the firm Galifi, and featuring a photograph by Wilhelm von Gloeden taken in the 1890s. The model on the right is Pascquale Stracuzzi, I regret I cannot recognise his companion from behind! 

A second photograph of this trio, posing for von Gloeden; sadly in need of a little de-creasing, but still a gorgeous image of male affection and intimacy at the end of the 19th century. If anyone has an unspoilt copy they would like to share with our ever-appreciative audience, please do send it in!

A much-improved copy of a photograph I’ve shared here before, three handsome young men pose for Wilhelm von Gloeden in the late 19th Century, their expressions transforming this into something uniquely beautiful, and open to interpretation - innocent platonic affection, or lustful longing? The model on the left certainly seems to lean toward the latter.

Dating to 1905, this glorious flower-strewn scene of summery bliss created by Wilhelm von Gloeden was sold as a postcard (the publisher’s initials AE a co-incidental match for this very blog!). A fine souvenir for the traveller to treasure, or perhaps a treat to send home to a friend who shared the same appreciation of aesthetic beauty and male beauty combined!

A second photograph to feature von Gloeden’s ‘il Grande Fauno’ wearing goat horns, as here - in many of the other pictures he modelled for in 1890s Sicily, it’s apparent only his hair has been teased to pointed shapes.