Bruce of Los Angeles (1909-1974)

One of the most famous names in physique photography, Bruce Bellas (1909–1974)—best known under the pseudonym Bruce of Los Angeles—is remembered today as a pioneer of beefcake.  Beginning in the 1940s and continuing until his death in the 1970s, Bruce of LA photographed countless strapping male models. He crafted a refined, masterful aesthetic of erotica, whose influence would later surface in the work of Robert Mapplethorpe, Herb Ritts, Bruce Weber, and many others.

Walter Briski, Jr. (b. 1967)

Born in Vinhedo, a small town on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Walter Briski, Jr. began his interests in photography at the age of thirteen. He later moved to the city of Sao Paulo to pursue his passion, and after completing his studies at the Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Campinas, he began his career as a fashion photographer working with top national magazines such as “Brazilian Vogue,” “Brazilian Interview,” and “Trip.”

Soon after, Briski moved to New York City in pursuit of advancing his career. In search of strengthening his art, he learned to master the technique of black-and-white printing while employed at a highly ranked film production house. There, he printed works for artists such as Bruce Weber, Annie Leibovitz, Gordon Parks, Matthew Barney, Steven Klein, Steven Meisel, Steven Sebring, and Ellen Von Unwerth.

In the midst of printing images that were reproduced in magazines such as “Vogue,” “Harper’s Bazaar,” “W,” “L’Uomo Vogue,” “I.D.,” “Arena,” “The New York Times Magazine,” and “Interview,” he also began printing his own photographs. Briski has had the wonderful opportunity to work with top models and celebrities, including the Brewer twins, Carole King, Kevin Smith, and Chris O’Donnell. In addition, he studied color and digital photography at the School of Visual Arts.

Dismal Boston Skyline

1986

Vintage chromogenic print (negative sandwich)

16 x 20 inches, sheet

Sold.

Literature:
Lia Gangitano, ed., Boston School (The Institute of Contemporary Art/Primal Media: Boston, Massachusetts, 1995), cover illus. in color [another example]
Beatrix Ruff and Thomas Seelig, Mark Morrisroe (Fotomuseum Winterthur/JRP Ringier: Winterthur, Switzerland, 2010), p. 155, full-page color illus. [another example]
Bennett Simpson, ed., Blues for Smoke (The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, California, 2012), p. 61, color illus. [another example]

John

1995

Signed and numbered, verso

Chromogenic print in artist’s frame

50 x 40 inches
(Edition of 5)
$10,000

17.5 x 13 inches
(Edition of 5)
$4,500, including artists’ frame

14 x 11 inches
(Edition of 10)
$450