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George Platt Lynes: The Daring Eye
George Platt Lynes: The Daring Eye is a life of the gregarious American portrait, dance, fashion, and male nude photographer whose career spanned the late 1920s to 1955. From age 18, Lynes entered the cosmopolitan world of the American expatriate community in Paris when he became acquainted with the salon of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Intending to pursue a literary and small press publishing career, Lynes also began photographing authors like Stein, Jean Cocteau, André Gide, and Colette. Soon, he turned exclusively to photography, establishing himself as one of the premier fashion photographers in the Condé Nast stable, documenting the early ballets of George Balanchine, and pursuing his private obsession with seductive images of young male nudes almost never published in his time. Lynes's private life was as glamorous and theatrical as his images with their brilliant studio lighting and dramatic Surrealist set-ups. Barely out his teens, he met the publisher Monroe
Wheeler who was already in a relationship with the emerging expatriate novelist Glenway Wescott. The peripatetic threesome maintained a polyamorous connection that lasted some 15 years. Their New York apartment became a mecca for elegant cocktail and name-dropping dinner parties. Their ménage-à-trois complicates our understanding of the pre-Stonewall gay "closet." This biography, drawing upon intimate letters and an unpublished memoir of Lynes's life by his brother, writer and editor Russell Lynes, paints a portrait of the emerging influence of gays and lesbians in the visual, literary, and performing arts that defined transatlantic cosmopolitan culture and presaged later gay political activism.
Wheeler who was already in a relationship with the emerging expatriate novelist Glenway Wescott. The peripatetic threesome maintained a polyamorous connection that lasted some 15 years. Their New York apartment became a mecca for elegant cocktail and name-dropping dinner parties. Their ménage-à-trois complicates our understanding of the pre-Stonewall gay "closet." This biography, drawing upon intimate letters and an unpublished memoir of Lynes's life by his brother, writer and editor Russell Lynes, paints a portrait of the emerging influence of gays and lesbians in the visual, literary, and performing arts that defined transatlantic cosmopolitan culture and presaged later gay political activism.
- GenresBiographyNonfictionArt
664 pages, Hardcover
Published November 23, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 26, 2022
DOM PERIGNON... ON A BUDGET?
Most often one picks up a biography because there is familiarity with the subject. At least some prior curiosity or desire to know more, to have the whole story. That is not the case here for me as I read this exhaustive (and sometimes exhausting) biography of the life of George Platt Lynes (pronounced "Lines") published in 2021 by Allen Ellenzweig. Ellenzweig, a scholar, professor of writing at Rutgers, lecturer, and advocate for gay rights, spent more than ten years researching and writing this seminal work about one of America's great photographers of the first half of the twentieth century. I had never heard of him.
What drew me to the book was a description about how Lynes had managed to live his life rubbing shoulders with some of the most famous celebrities in literature, the fine and temporal arts, the cultural elite of his day. And to do it as an unapologetic gay man who never succumbed to the pressures of conforming to traditional heterosexual society. His circle included people with power, influence, and money, shielding them from the persecutions brought upon the LGBTQ communities of the lesser classes who led traditional lives and who, at that time, had to remain deeply closeted or risk losing their livelihood, their families, or worse, even sent to prison for being who they were.
We all know this history, but Lynes and his circle were able to remain insulated from the worst. Not all that surprising perhaps, given their advocations, but Lynes and his circle (or many in it), were quite open about their sexual proclivities and numerous casual affairs and never, it appeared, did they suffer any consequences, economic or otherwise. Their sexuality was an open secret among the rich and famous. It didn't hurt either that Lynes was charismatic, seductive, and very good looking. He was a fitting example of a subculture of gay life that remains a prevalent stereotype even today.
Lynes was the oldest son of an upper-middle class couple, his father an Episcopalian minister. Lynes also had a younger brother who would always support him (and his homosexuality), as well as, ultimately becoming Lynes primary financial support. One of the details of Lynes life that seem to be missing as I read this book was ultimately how he fell into photography. Ellenzweig is clear Lynes struggled early in his life with what he wanted to become. In and out of college, really more interested in friends and fun than earning a living and having a career. His parents also turned a blind eye to his open attraction to boys and continued to indulge his irresponsible behavior. Lynes gave lip service early on to becoming a writer, but never stuck with it. Ellenzweig mentions he received a camera and started to take "amateur" pictures. Then it seems, he was making it his job and eventually his profession. It wasn't clear to me in Ellenzweig's narrative how Lynes made this transition.
Lynes was a "jack of all trades" photographer taking whatever jobs came his way from commercial print work, portraits, art and theater exposes', and his personal passion: the male nude. With the former categories, especially portraiture, he made money and eventually earned an impressive reputation. Rich patrons sponsored him multiple times in gallery exhibits in New York. As for the latter category, his nudes were primarily for his personal consumption and that of his close circle of mostly gay friends. While his portraits of famous artists, actors, and authors of the 1930s, 40s, and early 50s, garnered him notoriety and income, his obsession with the male form ultimately was his primary legacy. He died of lung cancer at 48, in 1955, deeply in debt at age 48. His brother, once again, left responsible for covering the costs of his extravagant life.
Lynes made enough money at the pinnacle of his career to support himself comfortably. It just wasn't in his nature to be able to do it. He admitted in letter after letter to his brother, his mother (his father long deceased), and his intimates that he was just a lousy businessman and longed for a life that didn't require him to be financially responsible! It was more than that, however, he seemed to spend almost immediately ever dollar he made. In fairness, Lynes didn't spend his income only on himself. He loved to throw lavish cocktail parties and dinners, often for his celebrity friends. He frequently donated his photography, gifted it, or supplied it at cost to organizations like the New York City Ballet who he ardently supported. Ellenzweig points out that early in his career he managed to pay back loans with interest, but his promptness of payment eventually waned and in later years he borrowed from friends and family with both parties knowing these monies would never be repaid.
What I really found fascinating about the book was Ellenzweig's analysis and background for some of Lynes' photographs followed in the text by the photograph itself. Seeing is believing I suppose. Disappointingly, there's not enough of this. More times than not Ellenzweig gives background and describes a particular photo (celebrity portrait, male nude), but the actual photograph is then omitted. Not sure if this was a copyright or licensing issue, but still the end result is disappointing.
In the final analysis, the book is too long at ~500 pages (perhaps like this review - lol). In the first half especially, it seems to be a mere recounting of all of Lynes friends, lovers, acquaintances, and the many frequent exhibitions, cocktail parties, dinners, trips to the theater, opera, ballet, and vacations Lynes hosted or attended. I found myself scanning, not reading, pages at times. Perhaps if I were an art historian or a film junkie, a student of literature, some of these names would resonate, but most do not. Yes, there's the iconic ones (obviously the most interesting to read about), but mostly his circle of friends are just the movers and shakers of that era who now are long lost to history, or at least me.
Perhaps Ellenzweig in the first half of the book was simply trying to establish Lynes place in his world. Or because of Ellensweig's extremely fastidious and scholarly approach, it was the only verifiable information of Lynes early years he had to work with. The second part of the book is more entertaining, in part, because the relationships in Lynes life were by then well established and we read about all the gossip, inuendo, interaction, and conflict at play (and I do me "play") between Lynes and his cohorts. At the end of the book, reflecting on Lynes life after his passing, a former lover and lifelong friend remarked that Lynes was a "scapegoat for us." What he meant was when their high-flying lifestyles got a bit too excessive, they could point out that at least they were not as bad as George Platt Lyons.
Most often one picks up a biography because there is familiarity with the subject. At least some prior curiosity or desire to know more, to have the whole story. That is not the case here for me as I read this exhaustive (and sometimes exhausting) biography of the life of George Platt Lynes (pronounced "Lines") published in 2021 by Allen Ellenzweig. Ellenzweig, a scholar, professor of writing at Rutgers, lecturer, and advocate for gay rights, spent more than ten years researching and writing this seminal work about one of America's great photographers of the first half of the twentieth century. I had never heard of him.
What drew me to the book was a description about how Lynes had managed to live his life rubbing shoulders with some of the most famous celebrities in literature, the fine and temporal arts, the cultural elite of his day. And to do it as an unapologetic gay man who never succumbed to the pressures of conforming to traditional heterosexual society. His circle included people with power, influence, and money, shielding them from the persecutions brought upon the LGBTQ communities of the lesser classes who led traditional lives and who, at that time, had to remain deeply closeted or risk losing their livelihood, their families, or worse, even sent to prison for being who they were.
We all know this history, but Lynes and his circle were able to remain insulated from the worst. Not all that surprising perhaps, given their advocations, but Lynes and his circle (or many in it), were quite open about their sexual proclivities and numerous casual affairs and never, it appeared, did they suffer any consequences, economic or otherwise. Their sexuality was an open secret among the rich and famous. It didn't hurt either that Lynes was charismatic, seductive, and very good looking. He was a fitting example of a subculture of gay life that remains a prevalent stereotype even today.
Lynes was the oldest son of an upper-middle class couple, his father an Episcopalian minister. Lynes also had a younger brother who would always support him (and his homosexuality), as well as, ultimately becoming Lynes primary financial support. One of the details of Lynes life that seem to be missing as I read this book was ultimately how he fell into photography. Ellenzweig is clear Lynes struggled early in his life with what he wanted to become. In and out of college, really more interested in friends and fun than earning a living and having a career. His parents also turned a blind eye to his open attraction to boys and continued to indulge his irresponsible behavior. Lynes gave lip service early on to becoming a writer, but never stuck with it. Ellenzweig mentions he received a camera and started to take "amateur" pictures. Then it seems, he was making it his job and eventually his profession. It wasn't clear to me in Ellenzweig's narrative how Lynes made this transition.
Lynes was a "jack of all trades" photographer taking whatever jobs came his way from commercial print work, portraits, art and theater exposes', and his personal passion: the male nude. With the former categories, especially portraiture, he made money and eventually earned an impressive reputation. Rich patrons sponsored him multiple times in gallery exhibits in New York. As for the latter category, his nudes were primarily for his personal consumption and that of his close circle of mostly gay friends. While his portraits of famous artists, actors, and authors of the 1930s, 40s, and early 50s, garnered him notoriety and income, his obsession with the male form ultimately was his primary legacy. He died of lung cancer at 48, in 1955, deeply in debt at age 48. His brother, once again, left responsible for covering the costs of his extravagant life.
Lynes made enough money at the pinnacle of his career to support himself comfortably. It just wasn't in his nature to be able to do it. He admitted in letter after letter to his brother, his mother (his father long deceased), and his intimates that he was just a lousy businessman and longed for a life that didn't require him to be financially responsible! It was more than that, however, he seemed to spend almost immediately ever dollar he made. In fairness, Lynes didn't spend his income only on himself. He loved to throw lavish cocktail parties and dinners, often for his celebrity friends. He frequently donated his photography, gifted it, or supplied it at cost to organizations like the New York City Ballet who he ardently supported. Ellenzweig points out that early in his career he managed to pay back loans with interest, but his promptness of payment eventually waned and in later years he borrowed from friends and family with both parties knowing these monies would never be repaid.
What I really found fascinating about the book was Ellenzweig's analysis and background for some of Lynes' photographs followed in the text by the photograph itself. Seeing is believing I suppose. Disappointingly, there's not enough of this. More times than not Ellenzweig gives background and describes a particular photo (celebrity portrait, male nude), but the actual photograph is then omitted. Not sure if this was a copyright or licensing issue, but still the end result is disappointing.
In the final analysis, the book is too long at ~500 pages (perhaps like this review - lol). In the first half especially, it seems to be a mere recounting of all of Lynes friends, lovers, acquaintances, and the many frequent exhibitions, cocktail parties, dinners, trips to the theater, opera, ballet, and vacations Lynes hosted or attended. I found myself scanning, not reading, pages at times. Perhaps if I were an art historian or a film junkie, a student of literature, some of these names would resonate, but most do not. Yes, there's the iconic ones (obviously the most interesting to read about), but mostly his circle of friends are just the movers and shakers of that era who now are long lost to history, or at least me.
Perhaps Ellenzweig in the first half of the book was simply trying to establish Lynes place in his world. Or because of Ellensweig's extremely fastidious and scholarly approach, it was the only verifiable information of Lynes early years he had to work with. The second part of the book is more entertaining, in part, because the relationships in Lynes life were by then well established and we read about all the gossip, inuendo, interaction, and conflict at play (and I do me "play") between Lynes and his cohorts. At the end of the book, reflecting on Lynes life after his passing, a former lover and lifelong friend remarked that Lynes was a "scapegoat for us." What he meant was when their high-flying lifestyles got a bit too excessive, they could point out that at least they were not as bad as George Platt Lyons.
April 14, 2023
Allen Ellenzweig’s “George Platt Lynes: The Daring Eye” is penetrating, insightful, and scholarly yet also deeply humane - among the best biographies I’ve read. Lynes was a complicated, frustrating man who nevertheless inspired love and affection from family and friends. Ellenzweig succeeds not just at delivering an astute biography of Lynes, but a thoroughly researched account of the overlapping circles of LGBTQ artists, writers, intellectuals and performers that influenced American culture in the first half of the 20th century and who helped set the stage for the push for civil rights in the latter part of the century. Along the way, Ellenzweig provides gorgeously written explications of Lynes photographic oeuvres, including his portraits of leading cultural figures, his fashion photography, and especially his male nudes.
Essential reading for anyone interested in LGBTQ life in the 20th century or the development of America’s cultural life.
Essential reading for anyone interested in LGBTQ life in the 20th century or the development of America’s cultural life.
April 7, 2022
A fabulous book! Ellenzweig gives us the story of George and his work along with a look at gay life in the early to mid twentieth century. George becomes a real, three dimensional person, not the sad, evil player I previously thought. The analysis of his work made me look at his non nude photos in a new light. There are, of course, not enough of George's photographs in the book, something that is most understandable. And it's rather fun searching for them on the internet and finding not only what I'm looking for, but other beautiful photos as well. So, thank you, Allen Ellenzweig for writing the book I needed on George Platt Lynes!
January 8, 2022
This is a monumental biography of George Platt Lynes, a pioneering openly gay photographer and it was so good that I rationed my reading to 2 chapters per day. The author did tremendous research and he had the cooperation of Lyne's family and access to his voluminous correspondence. He condensed all this material into a narrative that gave a you good idea of Lyne's personality and work habits as well as his love life. To make Lynes more remarkable, he had very little training as a photographer and was autodidactic. This remarkable book is a worthy addition to 20th Century pre-Stonewall history.
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January 14, 2022From the end of World War I into the fifties, the emergence of modernism and expressionism profoundly influenced American and European culture. Allen Ellenzweig brings that world to life alongside George Platt Lyne’s artistic brilliance, complex temperament and untamed sensuality. The book is a breathless ride.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/01/03/revie...
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/01/03/revie...
July 10, 2022
Not a book to embark upon if you’re not a little familiar with George Platt Lynes, but for those looking for a truly wonderfully researched and exhaustive portrait of the man behind so many portraits, then this is it. Behind the obvious purpose of this book, it’s also an amazing recounting of gay life in the 30-40s and the mini biographies one gets of the cast of characters that inhabited GPL’s life.
October 23, 2022
An astounding achievement. This entertaining and exhaustive biography on the life and work of photographer George Platt Lynes kept me engaged and entranced. Not only was the author's account of the artist's life fascinating and intelligently nuanced, the information packed in these pages are now an essential reference for scholars, collectors, and fans. I suspect I will be returning to this book often.
January 27, 2024
An expert biography based on first-hand research. Particularly good on George Platt Lynes's financial uncertainty and the relentlessness with which he pursued the male nude. This required taking enormous risks. I came away with a sense of George Platt Lynes's courage as well as his artistry.
August 25, 2022
Fantastic!
October 28, 2022
excellent biography
A very thorough biography, amazing research. Ellenzweig gave an excellent assessment of this pivotal figure and the times in which he lived.
A very thorough biography, amazing research. Ellenzweig gave an excellent assessment of this pivotal figure and the times in which he lived.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews