Original Photographic Print of Joe Napolie by Bob Mizer

Original Photographic Print of Joe Napolie by Bob Mizer

Manufacturer: N/A
SKU:	Art310

Price: $998.00
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Description

Original photographic print of Joe Napolie by Bob Mizer of the Athletic Model Guild, circa 1964. This is a large format print which measures 16 x 20 inches.

The Athletic Model Guild, or AMG, was an organization founded by gay pioneer Bob Mizer in 1944. US censorship laws at the time allowed women to appear in art in various states of undress, but not men. Mizer began his business by taking pictures of men he knew, both gay and straight, usually not wearing anything. Many of these would appear in pictures which, while focusing on fitness tips and the like, were largely vehicles for the nice eye candy, similar to "reading Playboy for the articles" argument.

As time went by and the laws were being questioned both in and out of court, AMG's pictures alternated between literally painting in "speedos" in the appropriate places for the pictures of men and having the models simply wear posing straps. After long legal battles, AMG eventually did away with clothing altogether, though by this time the newly-found freedom meant AMG suddenly had a lot of competition.

Several muscle stars and actors, both gay and straight, of the day got their start posing for Mizer and his friends. It is estimated that he took pictures of over 10,000 men throughout the course of his career. Andy Warhol's bisexual friend Joe Dallesandro, who has worked for Calvin Klein, for example, was among his models. Dallesandro went on to act in films directed by Warhol and others, both adult and mainstream. Ed Fury and Glenn Corbett, of 77 Sunset Strip were among some of Mizer's other more well-known subjects.

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