"The Unbearable Truth... Fear Eats The Soul": December 2021

click to enlarge

Art students and models circa 1912

Statistically speaking, at least one of the men in this photo was likely a same gender loving person (gay), I have my thoughts about each of them...

From left to right:

The first chap in the dark pants, vest and tie, he looks a little nervous and put off that this is being photographed, so he might be the one.
The second fellow in the white smock seems to be enjoying his view just a little too much, so he gets my vote.
The handsome guy in the back row, third from the left is the man you want to be the one, but probably isn't.
Number four, the man in the dark smock with a bow tie earns body language points for his hand-on-hip pose and focused gaze on the nude model.
Our last friend in the back row who bears a striking resemblance to Abe Lincoln, gets a point or two for his determination to look elsewhere while casually draping an arm over his comrade's shoulder.
Speaking of observer number six, it's hard to tell what he might have been thinking, his downward glance with eyes almost closed is giving him a Bela Lugosi look.
Last but not least, there are our two models at the front... locked in an artistic embrace:

Our nude friend gets a vote for style, for we are often exhibitionist and he's clearly spent considerable time working on his chiseled physique both of which are OGTs*
Our clothed model, looks to be one of the artists, so the fact that he has volunteered earns him points along with his rather focused gaze and tender grasp of the nude model's wrist.

Of course none of these men from the past might be gay...

But although we'll never know, there is enjoyment in believing we can see the unseen and of course the odds are with us, we've gravitated to the arts since time began.

* OGT - -obviously gay traits