"Torso, " Rare, Original Photograph with Nude Figure by Fritz Henle, 1950s

This original black and white photograph of one of Richmond Barthé's rare, little-known sculptures was taken by the famous studio of Morgan and Marvin Smith, who located on West 125th Street next to the renowned Apollo Theater. The Smith brothers moved from their native Kentucky to New York in the early 1930s, and proceeded to establish a studio that brought together almost every major figure in the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, mentoring artists such as Jacob Lawrence, Gwendolyn Knight, Selma Burke, Ernest Crichlow and Robert Blackburn. The Smiths captured the night life of Harlem, including musicians and actors such as Harry Belafonte, Sydney Poitier, Eartha Kitt, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Count Basie, Ethel Waters, Billie Holiday, Hattie McDaniels, Zora Neal Hurston, Step n' Fetchit, Pearl...

This original black and white photograph of one of Richmond Barthé's most important sculptures was taken by the famous studio of Morgan and Marvin Smith, who located on West 125th Street next to the renowned Apollo Theater. The Smith brothers moved from their native Kentucky to New York in the early 1930s, and proceeded to establish a studio that brought together almost every major figure in the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, mentoring artists such as Jacob Lawrence, Gwendolyn Knight, Selma Burke, Ernest Crichlow and Robert Blackburn. The Smiths captured the night life of Harlem, including musicians and actors such as Harry Belafonte, Sydney Poitier, Eartha Kitt, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Count Basie, Ethel Waters, Billie Holiday, Hattie McDaniels, Zora Neal Hurston, Step n' Fetchit, Pearl Bailey...

Subdued in palette but gorgeous in subtle detail, this painting of a seated male nude from behind captures the sensuality and beauty of the human figure. The painter, Roberto Lupetti...

Buoyant and aspirational, this bold and rare print depicting man rising through the clouds toward heaven, with angels to either side, was created by Roselle Osk in the 1930s. Osk gre...

One of the most boldly and superbly carved nude male figures in carved marble we have seen outside a museum, this classic depiction of the figure shows the man with one arm up and on...

Graceful and quiet, this entrancing figural candlestick was designed by Lore Friedrich-Gronau for the famous Karlsruhe ceramic works in Germany in the 1950s. She was famous for her a...

Vintage photo gravure by the photographer Fritz Henle, circa 1950. Wood frame with passepartout and high quality glass. The frame on the photos is just an example, it will be fram...

Vintage photo gravure by the photographer Fritz Henle, circa 1950. Wood frame with passepartout and high quality glass. The frame on the photos is just an example, it will be fram...

From an important 25 plus year collection of Male Physique and Beefcake photography, an iconic image done by Bruce in the studio with model posing on the iconic black and white floor, showing off his masculine back.. Printed in the 1960s and are all signed by the studio on verso when Mr. Bruce Bellas aka Bruce of LA was alive. Beautifully, professionally framed. Double white mat and simple black frame. All original photos are 8 x 10. Framed 16.50" W x 19" H. Please see other listings for more photographs from this collection available for sale for the 1st time. These listing photographs are very hard to shoot under glass. They are sharp, clear photographs printed the old fashioned way, by hand in the late 50s and early 60s. BIO: Bruce Harry Bellas (July 7, 1909 – July 1974) was an American photographer. He was influential in his work with male physiques and nudes. Bellas was well known under the pseudonym Bruce of Los Angeles. History and influence Bruce Harry Bellas was born in Alliance, Nebraska on July 7, 1909. He worked as a chemistry teacher there until 1947, when he began photographing bodybuilders in Los Angeles, California, beginning with taking pictures of bodybuilding competitions. In 1956, Bellas launched his own magazine, The Male Figure. Among physique photographers, Bellas' work was noted for having a distinctly campy, tongue-in-cheek sensibility. Bellas also produced a number of early homoerotic 8 mm films with titles such as Cowboy Washup and Big Gun for Hire. Bellas was known to travel around the country, finding new models to photograph and also personally delivering nude photographs to customers, since they were liable to be seized by postal inspectors if sent through the mail. An extensive archive of Bellas' nude male physique...

This photograph was part of a large collection purchased in the Hollywood hills in the early 90s. All the photographs were mid-century 1950s original photographs largely of male and...

Vintage photo gravure by the photographers Marcelle D'Heily and Fritz Henle, circa 1940. Wood frame with passepartout and high quality museum's glass. In original condition, with...

A very rare and highly collectible fine art original photo in original frame. A 1997 Iris nash edition 11" x 14" photograph, signed on front by Douglas Kirkland (1934-2022). From G Ray Hawkins Gallery, Sant Monica, CA. entitled "Golden Boy...