The Nude Portrait

category a.1) sitting, hands in lap



1. Matteo Montanari
2. Alasdair McLellan
3. Johnny Angel by Pat Milo, 1960s

category a.2) lying, body twisted

1. Karl Lagerfeld
2. Willy Vanderperre
3. Cody Chandler

category a.3) standing, side view

1. Alasdair McLellan
2. Sølve Sundsbø
3. Herb Ritts

category b) back view, arms flexing

1-3. Robert Mapplethorpe

category c.1) standing, left arm up

1. David by Michelangelo, 1501-1504
2. David Gandy by Mariano Vivanco
3. Tony Ward by Mariano Vivanco

category c.2) frontal, arms (almost) down



1. Alasdair McLellan
2. Bruce Weber
3. Iggy Pop by Gerard Malanga, 1971

When does a portrait define as a nude portrait? Category a) reveals nothing at all, category b) features a bare butt cheek, while categgory c) reveals primary sexual characteristics. Covered or full frontal, all images provoke the illusion of touch. One criterion for the nude portrait.
/HORST

Straps & Strings III

‘A Young Man of Extraordinary Personal Beauty’ by Willy Vanderperre for Arena Homme+

While it remains a purely functional means to some of us, the strapped continuously evokes desires for more of less to others. Contemporary fantasies of exhibitionist might include the strapped neck halter coat.
/HORST

Fragility

1. Jil Sander Fall/Winter 1991
2. Byblos Spring-Summer 1999
3. Jil Sander Spring/Summer 2000
4. Jil Sander Spring/Summer 2012

The advertising world is a self-referential one. Motives are subtly implied, borrowed, copied and re-introduced. Jil Sander and the image of 'broken glass'. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
/HORST

Frontal Nudity

Photos Willy Vanderperre

Drop down gorgeous, stroke a pose. Maybe an inspiration for the next photo booth installation. What do you wish to see next?
/HORST

Into The Fold

1. Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2009 by Willy Vanderperre
2. Paper Drop (Roma) 2007 by Wolfgang Tillmans

I might have found the perfect apartment. Located in the red light district. Stuccoed ceiling, parquet floor, double wing doors. Theme of the first dinner party: 'I met Jil Sander at a gallery opening'.
/HORST

The Missing Piece

1. Esther Stocker
2. Maison Martin Margiela Waistcoat by Willy Vanderperre
3. Zak Prekop

One day, some things will be rememembered and others will be forgotten. Cultures have disappeared. And still, cultures are driven by the sincere attempt to beat the natural system of death. Artistic production as self-recreation.
/HORST

Latest Acquirement

Cover Arena Homme + Winter/Spring 2006/2007

Unbelievable but true: I actually won something at this well-known online auction platform. 300 pages filled with Bruce Weber, Alasdair McLellan, Willy Vanderperre, David Sims and Miuccia Prada.
/HORST

Skunk

Photos Willy Vanderperre
Collection Prada Fall/Winter 2006

Miucca Prada's zebra fur helmet promises a soft and intimate embrace. The allegory for security and protection. A superelevated construct that uses irony and surrealism as its shield.
/HORST

Bustier

Photos Willy Vanderperre
Magazine Arena Homme +

A boy in a sleeveless, strapless, sailor striped top by Jean Paul Gaultier. Not only has he dissolved the definitions of menswear and established the men's skirt, now he also conquers and transforms the top part of male anatomy.
/HORST

Phantom

Photos Willy Vanderperre
Fashion Maison Martin Margiela

I can't define exactly what I like so much about these pictures. Maybe it's the childhood memory and simplicity of light denim, or maybe just the poses. But either way, you can always trust a Vanderperre picture.
/HORST

Admiration

Jil Sander Ad Campaign Fall/Winter 2008

/HORST