Bruce Bellas: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American photographer (1909–1974)}} | {{Short description|American photographer (1909–1974)}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}} | |||
{{Infobox person | |||
| name = Bruce Harry Bellas | |||
| image = | |||
| alt = | |||
| caption = | |||
| birth_name = Bruce Harry Bellas | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date|1909|7|7}} | |||
| birth_place = [[Alliance, Nebraska]], U.S. | |||
| death_date = {{death date and age|1974|7||1909|7|7}} | |||
| death_place = Canada | |||
| burial_place = [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]], [[Hollywood Hills]], California, U.S. | |||
| nationality = American | |||
| occupation = Photographer | |||
| known_for = [[Physique photography]] | |||
| other_names = Bruce of Los Angeles | |||
}} | |||
'''Bruce Harry Bellas''' (July 7, 1909 – July 1974) was an American photographer. He was influential in his work with [[physique photographer|male physiques and nudes]]. Bellas was well known under the pseudonym '''Bruce of Los Angeles'''.<ref name= "erotica">{{cite news |last=Gonzo |first=JC |url= https://www.sfreporter.com/arts/2020/01/22/the-fine-art-of-early-gay-erotica/ |title=The Fine Art of Early Gay Erotica |work=[[Santa Fe Reporter]] |date=January 21, 2020 |access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> | '''Bruce Harry Bellas''' (July 7, 1909 – July 1974) was an American photographer. He was influential in his work with [[physique photographer|male physiques and nudes]]. Bellas was well known under the pseudonym '''Bruce of Los Angeles'''.<ref name= "erotica">{{cite news |last=Gonzo |first=JC |url= https://www.sfreporter.com/arts/2020/01/22/the-fine-art-of-early-gay-erotica/ |title=The Fine Art of Early Gay Erotica |work=[[Santa Fe Reporter]] |date=January 21, 2020 |access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> | ||
==History and influence== | ==History and influence== | ||
Bruce Harry Bellas was born in [[Alliance, Nebraska]] on July 7, 1909.<ref>{{cite book |title=Who's Who in Contemporary Gay and Lesbian History: From World War II to the Present Day |date=24 | Bruce Harry Bellas was born in [[Alliance, Nebraska]] on July 7, 1909.<ref>{{cite book |title=Who's Who in Contemporary Gay and Lesbian History: From World War II to the Present Day |date=July 24, 2020 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-00-015028-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T_3vDwAAQBAJ&dq=bruce+harry+bellas+1909&pg=PT80 |access-date=March 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bruce Harry Bellas |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/16885950:2238?tid=&pid=&queryId=230c8c25b9993843bd244df164649bd6&_phsrc=Dqh5465&_phstart=successSource |publisher=U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947 |access-date=March 6, 2023}}</ref> He worked as a chemistry teacher there until 1947,<ref name= "beefcake">{{cite news |last=Rosen |first=Miss |url= https://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10983/bruce-of-los-angeles-bruce-bellas-the-man-who-pioneered-beefcake-photography |title=Bruce of Los Angeles, the Man Who Pioneered Beefcake Photography |work=[[Another Man]] |date=October 17, 2019 |access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> when he began photographing bodybuilders in [[Los Angeles, California]], beginning with taking pictures of bodybuilding competitions. In 1956, Bellas launched his own magazine, ''[[The Male Figure]]''. Among physique photographers, Bellas' work was noted for having a distinctly [[campy]], tongue-in-cheek sensibility.<ref name="beefcake"/> Bellas also produced a number of early homoerotic [[8 mm film]]s with titles such as ''Cowboy Washup'' and ''Big Gun for Hire''.<ref name="eghc"/> | ||
Bellas was known to travel around the country, finding new models to photograph and also personally delivering nude photographs to customers, since they were liable to be seized by postal inspectors if sent through the mail.<ref name="eghc"/> | Bellas was known to travel around the country, finding new models to photograph and also personally delivering nude photographs to customers, since they were liable to be seized by postal inspectors if sent through the mail.<ref name="eghc"/> | ||
An extensive archive of Bellas' nude male physique photographs exists today, largely intact. | An extensive archive of Bellas' nude male physique photographs exists today, largely intact. His impact on physique photography is largely felt and recognized, and the works of [[Robert Mapplethorpe]], [[Herb Ritts]], and [[Bruce Weber (photographer)|Bruce Weber]] are widely considered to be influenced by Bellas' pioneering style.<ref name="beefcake"/> In 1990, the [[Wessel O'Connor Gallery]] in New York and the [[Jan Kesner Gallery]] in Los Angeles both exhibited a wide array of Bellas' work, furthering modern recognition of his impact.<ref name= "California">{{cite news |last=Harrity |first=Christopher |url= https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/art/2013/06/29/inventing-california-boy?pg=7&fb_comment_id=646430608718649_114740332 |title=Inventing the California Boy |work=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]] |date=June 29, 2013 |access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> | ||
Bellas died while on vacation in Canada in July 1974.<ref name="gayletter">{{cite web|url=https://gayletter.com/bruce-of-los-angeles-greeting-cards/|title=Bruce Of Los Angeles' Greeting Cards|date=30 | Bellas died while on vacation in Canada in July 1974.<ref name="gayletter">{{cite web|url=https://gayletter.com/bruce-of-los-angeles-greeting-cards/|title=Bruce Of Los Angeles' Greeting Cards|date=March 30, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bruce Bellas |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/4035261:3693?tid=&pid=&queryId=230c8c25b9993843bd244df164649bd6&_phsrc=Dqh5466&_phstart=successSource |publisher=U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935–2014 |access-date=March 6, 2023}}</ref> He was buried at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]] in the [[Hollywood Hills]] on August 9.<ref>{{cite news |title=Obituaries-Funerals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120297386/obituaries-funerals/ |access-date=March 6, 2023 |publisher=Press-Telegram |date=August 8, 1974}}</ref> Bellas was in a long-term relationship with favorite model Scotty Cunningham,<ref name="hard"/> to whom he left his estate.<ref name="band"/> | ||
==Monographs== | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Bellas |first1=Bruce Harry |last2=Dolisnky |first2=Jim |title=Bruce of Los Angeles |publisher=Gmünder |location=Berlin |year=1990 |isbn=978-3-924163-65-5 |language=German}} | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Bellas |first1=Bruce Harry |last2=Bentley |first2=Kevin |last3=Mainardi |first3=Robert |title=The Naked Heartland: The Itinerant Photography of Bruce of Los Angeles |publisher=Janssen |location=Simon's Town, South Africa |year=2000 |isbn=978-3-925443-88-6}} | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Bellas |first1=Bruce Harry |last2=Aletti |first2=Vince |title=Bruce of Los Angeles |publisher=Antinous Press |location=New York |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-57687-469-1}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{ | {{Reflist|refs= | ||
<ref name="eghc">{{cite book|section=Bruce of Los Angeles|last=Waugh|first=Thomas|title=Encyclopedia of Gay Histories and Cultures|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|editor=George Haggerty|isbn= | <ref name="eghc">{{cite book|section=Bruce of Los Angeles|last=Waugh|first=Thomas|title=Encyclopedia of Gay Histories and Cultures|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|editor=George Haggerty|isbn=978-1-135-58506-8}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="hard">{{Cite book|last=Waugh|first=Thomas|authorlink=Thomas Waugh|title=Hard to Imagine: Gay Male Eroticism in Photography and Film from Their Beginnings to Stonewall|year=1996|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=0-231-09998-3|pages=231–232}}</ref> | <ref name="hard">{{Cite book|last=Waugh|first=Thomas|authorlink=Thomas Waugh|title=Hard to Imagine: Gay Male Eroticism in Photography and Film from Their Beginnings to Stonewall|year=1996|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=0-231-09998-3|pages=231–232}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="band">{{cite web|url=https://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10089/the-band-of-brothers-who-risked-it-all-for-male-erotica|title= | <ref name="band">{{cite web|url=https://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10089/the-band-of-brothers-who-risked-it-all-for-male-erotica|title=The Band of Brothers Who Risked It All for Male Erotica|last=Blanks|first=Tim|work=Another Man|date=December 5, 2017}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* | * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002063359/http://bruce-tribute.com/brucebio.html|date=October 2, 2008|title=Bruce Bellas Biography}} | ||
* | * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060507023022/http://www.bigkugels.com/content/Bruce.html|date=May 7, 2006|title=Bruce Bellas Photography}} | ||
{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
| Line 32: | Line 53: | ||
[[Category:Physique photography]] | [[Category:Physique photography]] | ||
{{US-photographer-1900s-stub}} | |||
{{US-photographer-stub}} | |||
Latest revision as of 14:43, 23 November 2025
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image Bruce Harry Bellas (July 7, 1909 – July 1974) was an American photographer. He was influential in his work with male physiques and nudes. Bellas was well known under the pseudonym Bruce of Los Angeles.[1]
History and influence
Bruce Harry Bellas was born in Alliance, Nebraska on July 7, 1909.[2][3] He worked as a chemistry teacher there until 1947,[4] when he began photographing bodybuilders in Los Angeles, California, beginning with taking pictures of bodybuilding competitions. In 1956, Bellas launched his own magazine, The Male Figure. Among physique photographers, Bellas' work was noted for having a distinctly campy, tongue-in-cheek sensibility.[4] Bellas also produced a number of early homoerotic 8 mm films with titles such as Cowboy Washup and Big Gun for Hire.[5]
Bellas was known to travel around the country, finding new models to photograph and also personally delivering nude photographs to customers, since they were liable to be seized by postal inspectors if sent through the mail.[5]
An extensive archive of Bellas' nude male physique photographs exists today, largely intact. His impact on physique photography is largely felt and recognized, and the works of Robert Mapplethorpe, Herb Ritts, and Bruce Weber are widely considered to be influenced by Bellas' pioneering style.[4] In 1990, the Wessel O'Connor Gallery in New York and the Jan Kesner Gallery in Los Angeles both exhibited a wide array of Bellas' work, furthering modern recognition of his impact.[6]
Bellas died while on vacation in Canada in July 1974.[7][8] He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills on August 9.[9] Bellas was in a long-term relationship with favorite model Scotty Cunningham,[10] to whom he left his estate.[11]
Monographs
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References
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