A new monograph from Vince Aletti brings together over 250 rare images from his personal archive, tracing the coded language of mid-century physique photography and its role in queer history.
Vince Aletti’s latest release, Physique, is more than a collection of photographs, it’s a curated journey through a concealed chapter of queer visual culture. Published by SPBH Editions/Mack, the book assembles over 250 rare prints from Aletti’s private collection, spanning the 1930s to the early 1960s.
These images, once circulated discreetly through mail-order catalogs and underground magazines, depict a world where homoerotic expression was veiled under the guise of fitness and art. Studios like Bob Mizer’s Athletic Model Guild and Don Whitman’s Western Photography Guild crafted visuals that, while ostensibly about bodybuilding, resonated deeply within the gay community.
Aletti, a renowned critic and curator, began collecting these photographs in the 1970s. His East Village apartment, filled with stacks of books and magazines, became a repository for these artifacts. In Physique, he not only showcases these images but also provides context, highlighting their significance in a time when open expressions of same-sex desire were suppressed.
The book’s design, led by Bruce Usher, complements the content with a minimalist approach, allowing the photographs to speak for themselves. A personal essay by Aletti accompanies the visuals, offering insights into the historical and political nuances of the era.
Physique stands as a testament to the resilience of queer expression, capturing a time when coded imagery served as both a form of resistance and a means of connection. It’s a reminder of the power of visual culture in shaping and reflecting identity.
The book is available for purchase through SPBH Editions/Mack.
