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Bruce Bellas / Bruce of Los Angeles
BRUCE BELLAS Vintage 1950s Photo of Male Physique Model BOB FORBES

1950s

$225
£172.02
€198.14
CA$315.29
A$352
CHF 184.44
MX$4,308.78
NOK 2,342.40
SEK 2,208.58
DKK 1,478.72

About the Item

BRUCE OF LOS ANGELES - Classic mid 1950s gelatin silver photograph of popular physique model BOB FORBES by celebrated 20th Century photographer BRUCE BELLAS also known as Bruce of Los Angeles. This is an original photograph from the beefcake "posing strap" era when nude photography was illegal. 'Bruce Los Angeles' and catalogue number 8 are stamped on verso. Bruce captured Forbes in a classic studio pose with subtle masterful lighting and one of his signature textured backdrops. Bruce Harry Bellas (July 7, 1909 – July 1974) was an American photographer who was a pioneer of “beefcake photography”. He was influential in his work with male physiques and nudes throughout the 1950s and 1960s an era of Hollywood bodybuilding. He was well known under the pseudonym Bruce of Los Angeles or Bruce of L.A. Bellas traveled around the country, finding farm boys, athletes, soldiers and sailors he encountered along the way to photograph. He often personally delivered his nude photographs to customers in the 1950s, since the controversial photographs were liable to be seized by postal inspectors if sent through the mail. In the 1960s Bellas succeeded in publishing his own magazine, The Male Figure, which allowed clients to order prints of their favorite models. His impact on physique photography is largely felt and recognized, and the works of Robert Mapplethrope and Bruce Weber are widely considered to be influenced by Bellas' pioneering style of “classic elegance, Hollywood glamour and camp wit”. In 1990, the Wessel O’Connor Gallery in New York and the Jan Kesner Gallery in Los Angeles both exhibited a wide array of Bellas' work, furthering modern recognition of his powerful and artistic impact on the art of male physique photography. Bellas died while on vacation in Canada in July 1974. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. This is a vintage black and white original gelatin silver print circa mid 1950s, stamped on the verso Bruce Los Angeles and numbered 8. The photograph is printed on double weight photographic paper with a light texture and has a high quality low luster premium finish. It measures 5 x 4 inches and has a 3/16 inch white boarder around the image. This photograph is from a collection previously owned by the late award winning Broadway and Hollywood costume designer Noel Taylor.
  • Creator:
    Bruce Bellas / Bruce of Los Angeles (1909 - 1974, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1950s
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 4 in (10.16 cm)Depth: 0.07 in (1.78 mm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    This is a high quality black and white gelatin silver print by the photographer stamped on verso in black ink "BRUCE LOS ANGELES" and numbered. Image shows some reflection of the textured paper highlighted by my studio lights while taking the images.
  • Gallery Location:
    Glenford, NY
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Bruce photo of Bob Forbes 1950s1stDibs: LU2458215204982

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