I wrote a few articles months ago on my blog chronicling how artists portray menswear in their work. I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where can post observations on artist's who have traces of men's clothing in their work.
I noticed that most of these artists that tap into the male sartorial subconscious either do it unintentionally, subliminally or overtly
My first subject Lucien Freud is a great example of the intentional
Freud is a man that deals on the psychological plane. His impastos are thick with layers that flesh out his subjects with a unsettling sense of vulnerability
The Freud man is intense. Usually seated, his appropriate forms of attire never stray past the rubrics of menswear. That double breasted suit is nothing more than a uniform; the tweed jacket is exactly what it is… a winter jacket. No notes of affected styles or nuances; all the pieces of clothing serve a functional purpose. His best accessory, though, is his face; he wears it like broken leather. Each “uniform” serves as a blanket that allows the subject’s weathered expressions to be more of the focal point of the painting.
Lucien’s man represents fashion subdued. A living testament that unintentionally defines man’s relationship with clothing. One that channels the gospel that SF members such as Manton, whnay, and Foo carry.
There are times, however, that he paints stuff such as this…
That is when I just throw all the shit I just wrote out the window.
Here is a link to the original article.
Thoughts? contributions?
