"The Artist's Corner..."

"Nubian Reclining Male Nude"

Oil on canvas

Unknown Artist

What I Like About This: An interesting painting on many levels, this work is reputedly from 19th Century France. Although it's unsigned and unattributed, it was nonetheless executed by an artist of some considerable skill. This work was likely created for a gay patron who might have hung this in his bed chamber for the appreciation of only himself and his lovers. Sadly, at some point in this work's life, it was subjected to a modesty-fication, as a crudely executed and unnatural shadow was placed over the subject's genitals... but thankfully, whoever that subsequent owner was who ordered this adulteration, they nevertheless realized that this was a masterwork of art and eroticism worthy of retaining.