Gay Art: A Historic Collection Paperback – October 1, 2006

Felix Lance Falkon's historic collection of Gay Art was the first and only one of its kind when it was first published in 1972. Happily, Falkon is still around to revise and republish his long-lost classic. In this he is ably assisted by art historian Thomas Waugh, who provides invaluable commentary. Thanks to Waugh, we learn the names of some of the artists, who were "closeted" back in 1972. (For example, only now do we learn that some of the art is by Falkon himself.) The only reason I do not give this book 5 stars is because the current political climate has forced the authors to censor some of the art that feature gay youths. What was perfectly acceptable in 1972 is forbidden today. Such is "progress."

Highly recommended to all art lovers. The themes and layouts are well done.One complaint - at least a few of the artworks could have been printed in colour to enhance the visual appeal of the book.Otherwise a worthy selection of erotic gay art !

Ok

Gay Art, FL Falkon with Thomas Waugh, 256pp, 2nd ed. 2006This is an interesting collection of gay male erotic artwork, originally published in 1972, and now revised for this present edition, with better quality images of some of the originals, as well as a few different selections for various reasons described in the Introductions. There are 154 numbered illustrations, all with captions, and with one or two historical examples, all featuring 20th century artists.The Contents are -P007-38: Prefaces, Forewords and Introductions to both editionsIllustrated TextP039: Early SourcesP059: Modern MusclemenThe ArtistsP075: BladeP085: Lowenhaupt / `Hank'P089: Steve Masters / Mike MikscheP09: Tom of Finland / Touku LaaksonenP105; RobinP111: Etienne / Dom OrejudosP121: Graewolf / Felix Lance FalkonThemesP131: PreliminariesP145: The Main EventP165: OrgiesP177: YouthP191: The Super-StudP207: Dungeons And DominationP233: HumorP251: A General SummaryP235: IndexThe images printed here tend towards the graphic/explicit rather than the soft core and pin-up variety, though some of those are included. The images display a varying quality of draughtsmanship, but are in general of high quality. If you just like looking at erotic pictures of gay male sex, then you should find this book interesting, especially if there is a cheap copy available.Note: the `unknown artist' of figure #96 looks like the early work of the artist known as `SEAN' - who, I note, is missing from Waugh's other volumes of gay art illustrations, at least by name. I assume that he was too `modern' to fit into the cut off dates of the books.Further Reading Out/Lines: Underground Gay Graphics from Before Stonewall Lust Unearthed: Vintage Gay Graphics from the DuBek Collection

Of course it's fun to browse through a variety of vintage gay erotic art.But now, with the internet, we can see much of the same art in color, such as Harry Bush and Quaintance. The author gives himself a prominent place, as if he is on a par with several of the 'great names' - when all he does is TRACE Etienne drawings! But oddest of all are the censored pictures, often reduced to but a tiny fragment, because there were youngsters in them. But that was common in those days before the current scare. Descriptions are often a lot of bla-bla, things we can see for ourselves in the illustrations. The quasi intellectual introduction, with Greek vases is totally out of place.I could say much the same of Out/Lines and Lust Unearthed by Thomas Waugh, with all that self-glorification on their research and expertise... A bit less ego and more uncensored art would have been nice.

While the book is good I was hoping for more ancient history, this book seems to focus on recent history and certain authors/artists. But the information and details it gives is interesting and adds to my collection.The layout is good and pictures clear but only in black and white.It is not hardback.I would rate the pictures as 18 (or NC-17).Packaging good, it protected the book.