George Platt Lynes, a significant photographer of the male nude during the 1930s to 50s, died in 1955 without seeing his work celebrated. His story, captured in Shahid's documentary, reveals the tragedy of an artist unrecognized due to societal constraints. Lynes was a prominent gay figure in pre-Stonewall America, enjoying a vibrant life among cultural elites. Initially known for his fashion photography for esteemed publications, he later focused on the male nude, which would also become his legacy despite the persecution he faced.
In all the festivals we've done during the Q&A, the first question was: 'Why didn't we know this man?' That's why I did the film,” says Shahid, who first discovered Lynes' story while working on a book of male nudes in 2011.
I was really surprised by his life and how free and open he was and how he wasn't afraid,
At the height of his fame, Lynes was a part of the cultural elite of New York, counting Paul Cadmus, Monroe Wheeler, and Glenway Wescott as contemporaries.
Before building a successful career as a photographer of the male nude, Lynes first became known as a fashion photographer, taking commissions from Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and other illustrious publications.
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