Der Act, Part 1 - "New" items

In 1894 Max Koch and Otto Rieth photographed and published a large format portfolio photo book called Der Act, a German term for nude works sometimes spelled Der Akt.  This will be a three parter, starting with some recent finds.  The above model appears several time today.

 

Ledge and disc

Although I can't figure out the significance of the decorated disc,

I like the pose and overall setting of the photo.

 

Mirrors

We get three views of the solo model in this mirror shot.

 

Heid model?

This model resembles one who worked for Herman Heid around the same time Der Act was made.  It would not be unheard of for a good model to work for two or more photographers.

 

Mirrors again

This is another example of the use of mirrors in Der Act.

In addition to the technique, I find the pose very attractive.

 

Italian?

The model in this one looks Italian, rather than German.

 

Der Act, Part 2 - Repeats

Part two consists of some repeats from the early days of this blog.  I've always loved

the way the models and the mirrors work to make a fine image in this photo.

 

Twofer

When I posted this one almost five years ago, I was impressed with the clarity and the way the two models are arranged in the two images.  What I still don't know is if these were published side by side or separately in the original edition of Der Act.  Trust me, I've looked and looked.

 

Two versions, one "new"

I'm including the image above in the repeat section for two reasons.  First, I think it's quite good, and second, Koch and Rieth did a similar clothed version which I recently found and is below.

 

Der Act, Part 3 - Recently Categorized

The last section of our Der Act three part set features some photos

 that I've had a long time, but didn't realize until recently 

were part of Der Act.  I may have posted a couple of these. 

This one shows some Teutonic angst.

 

 

Uncomfortable

I don't think I've posted this one, but it's been in my collection for several years.

I only recently found out that it's from Der Act.

 

Topsy Turvy II

Maybe Koch and Rieth were trying to depict a fall

 by posing the model on a upended chaise lounge.

 

PaJaMa

We are overdue for a series of the PaJaMa Collective's work.

so let's start with Donald Windham at Fire Island in 1938.

He will appear again today nearer the water.

 

Smithsonian I

This is the first of three (at least) pictures in today's set from a photo archive that PaJaMa member Margaret Hoening French donated to the Smithsonian after Jared French's death.

It shows Mr. French in the grassy dunes of Provincetown.

 

Lynes 1940

Although I don't know the location of this 1940 photo for certain, it resembles an area 

in New Jersey where the subject, George Platt Lynes, was known to visit in summer.

 

Smithsonian II

The model in this picture from the Smithsonian donation look similar to one 

who appears later in today's set.  Or maybe he just looks familiar.

 

John Butler, Two Views and Two Provenance Connections

These front and back photos of John Butler were included in the Smithsonian donation, 

but they were also independently in circulation among collectors.  I found these on an 

online auction site as part of what was most likely an estate sale.  There are six 

others from the session which will be posted later.

 

Fire Island

Only three of the four men in this 1954 photo made at Fire Island Pines are identified.

They are Joe Santoro, Robert Buckley, and Fred Melton.

 

Donald Windham

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Todd Bolender

Provincetown was the location for this 1947 PaJaMa photo of Todd Bolender,

an acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and found of the Kansas City Ballet.

 

Smithsonian III

The third photo from Margaret Hoening's Smithsonian donation is a reclining nude.

 

1941

Our last PaJaMa photo is an unknown model from 1941.

 

Dean's List

Roy Dean's 1980 coffee table book, The Dean's List, was shot here in Hawaii, although I have doubts about one or two of the photos.  Today we will look at ten images from the book.

 

Dean's List - 9

I wonder what page 9 was pointing at.

 

Dean's List - 12

Number 12 is an unusual pose.

 

Dean's List - 15

I really like the languid pose and idyllic setting in Number 15.

 

Dean's List - 20

Number 20 is posed dramatically atop some big rocks.

 

Dean's List - 22

Model 22 posed perched in a tree overlooking a bay.

 

Dean's List - 29

While I don't like the cropping at the left side, #29 is still a nice picture.

 

Dean's List - 34

Number 34 may have been taken somewhere other than Hawaii.

Brick walls are relative rare here.

 

Dean's List - 39

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Dean's List - 50

Ending the Dean's List set with #50, a man who almost has a fig leaf.

Well, he is in the banyan roots, which are in the fig family.