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George Platt Lynes — Bradbury Ball, Lewis Forms, Buddy Stanley and Tex Smutley Posed by Jared French
George Platt Lynes — Bradbury Ball, Lewis Forms, Buddy Stanley and Tex Smutley Posed by Jared French
George Platt Lynes

Bradbury Ball, Lewis Forms, Buddy Stanley and Tex Smutley Posed by Jared French

1942

This vintage gelatin silver print depicts four male figures arranged in a line against a textured wall. Three of the men stand partially or fully nude with hands on hips in classical contrapposto poses, while a fourth figure in the center wears a dark overcoat, creating a striking juxtaposition of clothed and unclothed forms. The composition demonstrates the photographer's sophisticated use of studio lighting and staging, characteristic of mid century American figure photography. The work exemplifies George Platt Lynes' exploration of the male form through carefully orchestrated poses and spatial relationships, positioning the viewer as witness to an ambiguous social or artistic scenario. The photograph reflects the artistic and homoerotic sensibilities of 1940s avant garde photography practice.

Medium
vintage gelatin silver print
Overall

Notes

A Ménage with George Platt Lynes, Rago Auctions, 2026-05-01. Lot 100. Inscribed to verso 'MW George Platt Lynes Bradbury Ball, Lewis Forms, Buddy Stanley, Tex Smutley 1942 posed by Jared French' with collector's stamp.

🔨 Auction Lot

A Ménage with George Platt Lynes

May 1, 2026

Estimate: $1,200$1,800

Sold: $3,584

Lot 100

For Sale

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About this work

George Platt Lynes, Bradbury Ball, Lewis Forms, Buddy Stanley and Tex Smutley Posed by Jared French, 1942

This vintage gelatin silver print depicts four male figures arranged in a line against a textured wall. Three of the men stand partially or fully nude with hands on hips in classical contrapposto poses, while a fourth figure in the center wears a dark overcoat, creating a striking juxtaposition of clothed and unclothed forms. The composition demonstrates the photographer's sophisticated use of studio lighting and staging, characteristic of mid century American figure photography. The work exemplifies George Platt Lynes' exploration of the male form through carefully orchestrated poses and spatial relationships, positioning the viewer as witness to an ambiguous social or artistic scenario. The photograph reflects the artistic and homoerotic sensibilities of 1940s avant garde photography practice.

Medium
vintage gelatin silver print
Dimensions
overall: 18.7 x 21.9 cm
Year
1942
Seen at
Rago Auctions, Lambertville, United States

Related themes

Vintage Print, Studio Lighting, Conceptual Photography, 1940s Photography, Queer Aesthetics, Figure Photography, Male Bodies, American Photography, Fashion Photography, Modernist Photography, Studio Portrait, Classical Poses, Fine Art Photography, Staged Composition, Gelatin Silver Print, Male Nudes, Group Portrait, Artistic Nudity, Homoerotic Imagery, Black and White

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