The Art of J.C.Leyendecker
Although J.C. Leyendecker's cover art for the ubiquitous magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, could ever be classified as homoerotic, there are tantalizing glimpses of what might have been. In 1899 J.C. Leyendecker created his first drawing for the magazine, and the partnership would last for the next four decades. Heavily inspired by the Art Noveau movement, and Norman Rockwell, Leyendecker's images had an immediacy and a trademark style. His covers often portrayed handsome, young males, as sailors, soldiers, athletes, and heroic figures.
In 1903 Leyendecker discovered his muse and almost forty year lover, in Charles Beach. Beach was the model and inspiration for many of Leyendecker's later iconic covers. Leyendecker died in 1951, a highly secretive man, little is truly known about their relationship and to date there are very few photographs of Beach in existence.
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The "SECRET" is out! Very interesting choice of art and artist... very big & bold and erotic for the early 20th Century. THANK YOU Q C... I'M IMPRESSED AND PLEASED!!! danny
I have been an enormous fan of Leyendecker's work for many years. He was from Germany, and along with his "Gay" younger brother he lived in a manse that "they" had built for themselves with their respective lovers. JC's lover was the model for the 1920's Arrow Shirt Ads, his depictions of a Nordic God in beautiful and elegant clothes, is an Icon! Thanks for sharing this with your site, it's appreciated.
Very interesting, I think theres so much wonderful gay art out there but I wasnt aware of this before - thanks!
Yes, JC Leyendecker was definately fascinated by the male form. As one comment noted, Beach was his lover and served as the model for the "Arrow Collar Man", who was the epitome of masculinity during his time. The fictitious Arrow Collar Man even received love letters from women, wanting to know who he was.
As far as I know, Leyendecker become popular way before Norman Rockwell. In fact, you can say that Rockwell was inspired by Leyendecker, not the other way around. There was this rumors, among illustrators, that Rockwell (when he was a kid) literally stalked Leyendecker to see the master worked at his studio and what he ate.
After that, Rockwell will copy exactly what Leyendecker did that day.
Surely, Rockwell is Leyendecker's biggest fan.
(From 4 years as an illustration student)