Art and Homosexuality: A History of Ideas 1st (first) edition Text Only

by Christopher Reed

Lavishly illustrated with over 175 black-and-white and color images that range from high to popular culture and from Ancient Greece to contemporary America, Christopher Reed's arresting book reveals the deep linkages between art and homosexuality as we understand those terms. This is the first book to fully explore the interdependence between the identity of the artist and the homosexual. It offers a bold, globe-spanning narrative that draws on artwork from all the important periods in the Western tradition, including classical, Renaissance, and contemporary, with special focus on the modern period. It was in the nineteenth century that the identities of the avant-garde artist and the homosexual took shape, and almost as quickly overlapped. The figures involved—Ingres, Courbet, Wilde, Whitman—are among that era's most iconic artists. The development of twentieth-century art—exemplified in the work of figures like Gertrude Stein, Jasper Johns, David Hockney, and David Wojnarowicz—this book argues is simply not understandable apart from the concurrent development of ideas about sexual identity. This highly readable volume challenges the ideas of many prominent art critics and punctures the platitudes surrounding discussions of both art and sexuality. The book discusses what it means to be an insider and outsider, how sexuality came to define one's fundamental humanity, and what people risk (and gain) in rejecting economic and social conformity. Reed shows that many of the core ideas that define modern thought more generally are nearly indecipherable without an understanding of this pairing. The debates that have surrounded artists and homosexuals in effect capture the dramatic history of the evolution of the modern mind.

Genres: Art, Queer, Nonfiction, Art History, LGBT, Queer Studies, History

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

YES, I jokingly say that every important historical figure was a little fruity and YES, this is the book I'm going to use that proves me right (kind of)

A unique account, if not an obvious choice for one in hindsight, of two inseparable histories and their compounded impacts that has already become one of the most important things I’ve read. A history of psychological theory and politics and social outrage and how it’s all come to be expressed visually, that was just as enlightening on the concept of identity as it was on art history.

and you’ll never guess what capitalism ruined this time !

The part that will stick with me though (apart from https://images.app.goo.gl/YDk8ABp9mpU...) is the lesson of just how artificial and unstable identity and individualism as concepts are. Especially in the vague context of attributing behavior of sexuality to a definition of self. There we (Society™️) go again with our addiction to those binaries. That subtitle should really be just bolded underlined italicized

As for the book itself, it made a deliberate point to start with a broad perspective to prove how slippery the definition of both art and sexuality are to nail down. By its end though, it fizzled into an almost entirely American-centrism, much less western-centrism, though it may be fair to the extent the analysis dealt with the development of sexuality informed identity. The last chapter itself lost a lot of the concise focus that made the rest such a good read.

All else aside I will be very annoying about my performance of identity from now on, and you all have Mr Reed to thank for that

[carelessdestiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was utterly engrossed from the first page. His prose is elegant and clear and his analysis of the ideas that motivate artists is intelligent and believable. Even when I didn't agree with him (things like the "AIDS quilt") I loved reading it.

[Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this-- going through global art history, but recent Western art history in particular, actively engaging the idea that "art and homosexuality" is a redundant phrase.

[Andrew Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really a (VERY) brief introduction to the subject of art and homosexuality. I wish there were a more in depth - and engaging - version of this book. I imagine it would be a couple volumes. More pictures would have been nice - but that’s what the internet is for, I guess. I saw this book at a museum somewhere at some point - probably 15 years ago. Finally got around to reading it.

[Frejola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a genuinely illuminating read.I learned lots and made connections I'd never considered before. Excellent, excellent.

[Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though less compelling near the end, Reed's skillful deconstruction of the relationship between artist and homosexual is riveting, especially in his analysis of the origins of the two titular categories.

[Dylan]

Man, this thing is slow. So hard to get through, but I'm trying.

[Aileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

mind-boggling and interesting.. light-reading reference.

[Tanya Wischerath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential, beautifully written, engaging and profoundly insightful. Im reading it again and I just finished it.