Items Similar to Bruce of L.A. (Bruce Bellas) Original 50s Male Nude Photograph Handsome Model
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12
Bruce of L.A. (Bruce Bellas) Original 50s Male Nude Photograph Handsome Model
About the Item
From an important 25 plus year collection of Male Physique and Beefcake photography, image # 7 of handsome male model Bill Gregory. 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 photographs exists today, largely intact. His impact on physique photography is largely felt and recognized, and the works of Robert Mapplethorpe, Herb Ritts, and Bruce Weber are widely considered to be influenced by Bellas' pioneering style.[4] 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 impact.
Bellas died while on vacation in Canada in July 1974. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) on August 9. Bellas was in a long-term relationship with favorite model Scotty Cunningham, to whom he left his estate.
Bruce Bellas, better known as Bruce of Los Angeles, was one of the most noted of what is described as the “Beefcake” photographers and directors. From the 1940s to his death in 1974 at age 65 Bellas photographed—mostly in posing straps with beach balls, globes, and other colorful props—numerous bodybuilders and models from Steve Reeves, Bob McCune, and George Eiferman to stars Joe Dallesandro, Mark Nixon, and Brian Idol.
- Creator:Bruce of Los Angeles (Artist),Bruce Bellas (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Depth: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 1950s-Early 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. These are Original photographs from the Bruce of LA Studios printed from the orginal negatives in the 1950s - 1960s. They are not copies.
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2012
1stDibs seller since 2015
219 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Palm Springs, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
More From This SellerView All
- Bruce of L.A. (Bruce Bellas) Original 50s Male Nude Photograph Masculine ModelBy Bruce Bellas, Bruce of Los AngelesLocated in Palm Springs, CAFrom an important 25 plus year collection of Male Physique and Beefcake photography, iconic image of masculine male model holding metal chain.. 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...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
MaterialsOther
- Bruce of L.A. (Bruce Bellas) Original 1950s Studio Photograph Male NudeBy Bruce of Los Angeles, Bruce BellasLocated in Palm Springs, CAFrom 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...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
MaterialsOther
- Bruce of L.A. Original Vintage 50s Male Nude Signed Black & White PhotographBy Bruce BellasLocated in Palm Springs, CAAnother original 8 x 10 black-and-white photograph by world, renowned photographer, Bruce Bellas AKA Bruce of L.A. we have sold many on 1st Dibs from our personal collection of 40+ y...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
MaterialsPaper
- Bruce of L.A.Original 1950s Male Physique Photograph Model Handsome Bill GregoryBy Bruce of Los Angeles, Bruce BellasLocated in Palm Springs, CAFrom an important 25 plus year collection of Male Physique and Beefcake photography, image # 7 of handsome male model Bill Gregory. Printed in the 1960s ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
MaterialsOther
- Bruce Bellas AKA Bruce of LA Original 1950s Male Physique PhotoBy Bruce Bellas, Bruce of Los AngelesLocated in Palm Springs, CAFrom an important 25 plus years collection of male physique and beefcake photography, image #2 of male model. (name unknown) Printed in the 1960s and are all signed by the studio when Mr. Bruce Bellas aka Bruce of LA was alive. Beautifully, professionally framed. Double white mat and simple black frame. All orig photos are 8 x 10. Framed: 16.50" W x 19" H. Please see separate listings for many more original photographs from this collection. Note: these beautiful photos are VERY hard to photograph under glass. They are BEAUTIFUL crisp, sharp orinal photos printed BY HAND from the original negatives in the 50s and 60s that were printed before computer printed and generated images! BIO: 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...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
MaterialsOther
- Bruce of Los Angeles Vintage Original Male Physique Photograph of Carl VenusBy Bruce of Los Angeles, Bruce BellasLocated in Palm Springs, CAFrom an important 25 plus year collection of male physique and beefcake, printed in the 1960s, signed by the studio when Mr. Bruce Bellas aka Bruce of LA...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
MaterialsOther
You May Also Like
- Bruce of LA /AKA Bruce Bellas Photograph of Drew BurtonBy Bruce BellasLocated in Philadelphia, PAPopular beef cake model Drew Burton was photographed by many male physique photographers. His all American Boy Nextdoor Good Looks made him very popular! D...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
MaterialsPaper
- Bruce of LA /AKA Bruce Bellas Photograph of Drew BurtonBy Bruce BellasLocated in Philadelphia, PAPopular beef cake model Drew Burton was photographed by many male physique photographers. His All American Good Looks made him very popular! Didn't hurt th...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
MaterialsPaper
- Photograph of Male Nude by Greg GormanBy Greg GormanLocated in Atlanta, GAArtist: Greg Gorman (American, b. 1949) Title: Rex and Gregory, 1988 Gelatin silver print Image size: 18.75 x 14.75 inches Paper size: 19.75 x 15.875 inches Frame size: 24.8 x 1...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Photography
MaterialsGlass, Wood, Paper
- Original photograph of model in the woods by Bruce Weber for Karl Lagerfeld 4By Karl Lagerfeld, Bruce WeberLocated in Henley-on Thames, OxfordshirePhotograph by Bruce Weber, Karl Lagerfeld advertisement, 1985. Original silver gelatin print from Lagerfeld’s studio ex-collection Eric Wright – Lagerfeld’s right hand man in the 198...Category
Late 20th Century American Photography
MaterialsPaper
- Original Photograph of Model in the Woods by Bruce Weber for Karl Lagerfeld 4By Karl Lagerfeld, Bruce WeberLocated in Henley-on Thames, OxfordshirePhotograph by Bruce Weber, Karl Lagerfeld advertisement, 1985. Original silver gelatin print from Lagerfeld’s studio ex-collection Eric Wright – Lagerfeld’s right hand man in the 198...Category
Late 20th Century American Photography
MaterialsPaper
- Original Photograph of Model in the Woods by Bruce Weber for Karl Lagerfeld 2By Karl Lagerfeld, Bruce WeberLocated in Henley-on Thames, OxfordshirePhotograph by Bruce Weber, Karl Lagerfeld advertisement, 1985. Original silver gelatin print from Lagerfeld’s studio ex-collection Eric Wright – Lagerfeld’s right hand man in the 198...Category
Late 20th Century Photography
MaterialsPaper
