Bruce Bellas Silver Gelatin Photograph "Lance Arlen," Mid-20th Century

Item Details

Bruce Bellas (American, 1909 – 1974) also known as Bruce of Los Angeles
Lance Arlen, mid-20th century
Artist’s studio stamp to the verso, lacking series inventory number
Titled to the verso (obscured by tape)

Regarded as the grandfather of physique photography, Bruce Bellas was an influential mid-century photographer celebrated for his photographs of nude male physiques spanning from the 1940s to the 1970s. Born in Nebraska, Bellas worked as a chemistry teacher until 1947, when he took up photography. Taking inspiration from classical physique photography, particularly that of Lon Hanagan and George Platt Lynes, Bellas spent time photographing bodybuilding contests along the west coast, including Muscle Beach in Venice. His photographs proved to be a success and were regularly featured in muscle magazines. After developing his style for nearly a decade, in 1956 he started his own magazine The Male Figure. Bellas’ subject matter, technique, and pioneering style were very influential on a number of renowned photographers including Robert Mapplethorpe, Herb Ritts, and Bruce Weber. Throughout his career, he photographed many sought after male models, such as Joe Dallessandro, Steve Wengryn, Mark Nixon, and Brian Idol, to name a few. In addition to magazines and other publications, Bellas’ work has been exhibited in several art institutions including the Wessel O’Connor Gallery in New York and the Jan Kesner Gallery in Los Angeles, and extensive archive of his work still exists today.

Condition

- photograph examined outside of frame; small nick to the lower left corner of the photograph; slight abrasions to the finish of frame.

Dimensions

- measures frame; sheet measures 8.0" W x 10.0" H.

Item #

ITMG782401