The Male Nude

Nobody does a better job of collecting and publishing nude photographs of men than David Leddick. He adds here another fine volume to his several books on the subject. Leddick begins with photographers in the Nineteenth Century and continues to the present in chronological order. All the photographers you expect are here as well as some of the photographs we have seen many times before. (I'm thinking now of Mapplethorpe's infamous "Man in Polyester Suit.") In addition to Mapplethorpe, there's Thomas Eakins, Wilhelm von Gloeden, Cecil Beaton, George Platt Lynes-- for my money nobody surpasses him-- Bob Mizer, Horst and Herb Ritts. But Leddick also includes David Hockney, Duane Michaels, the incomparable Imogene Cunningham and one of my favorite photographs by one of my favorite photographers, a shot of Helmut Berger by Helmut Newton. I was also glad to see Leddick include the work of Nan Goldin and Pierre et Gilles, two unique photographers whom I admire tremendously. There's a good chance you'll find your favorite photographer included here and become acquainted as well with artists you didn't previously know.This little volume is beautifully printed and extremely well-priced.

There isn't much else I can say that I didn't cover in the title of my review. This is a good collection of photographs divided into time periods, each of which is given a brief essay introduction by Leddick. Leddick, while not a brilliant art historian, is the best I've found on this controversial and often overlooked artform.

In 1998 David Leddick’s "The Male Nude" was published by Taschen. Now in this edition called "Male Nudes" Taschen has published a much smaller version of the original book with the very best and most impressive images in a wonderful and very affordable paperback. I was very impressed with this edition. It’s a great introduction to the history of male nude photography from the 1850’s to the present day. It’s a fascinating look at the changes the male nude has experienced in body type, structure, and sexual content over the past 100 years. There are images from almost every photographer you can think of during this time period. The quality & printing of this book is excellent.This is a must for anyone who appreciates & admires the male body and wishes to know the history of male nude photography. Make sure you get a copy of this before it’s too late. Highly Recommended!

This book is essential to anyone who loves the sublimity of the human male form, whether of straight Or homoerotic nature. The beautiful photographs cover the male nude from 1870's to the present. Many Rare and Never-Before-Seen Photos are inside, on every page. Kinda wish it was hardcover, but that's about my only complaint. A must-have for any lover of the human form or anyone studying the human form. Excellent and Unprecedented!

The Male Nude is the best book I have seen depicting the male anatomy. The sheer volume of material gives the reader an extrordinary chance to see excellent pictures that may have gone unseen had it not been for this publication. If anyone is seriously interested in fine art as well as erotic and sometimes haunting images then this book should be in your collection! (I hope that Leddick will release a part two to this one!!!) Studnmiami