Book Review: Germaine Greer - The Beautiful Boy

(US Edition)

(UK Edition)

(German Edition)

I wanted to get this book review posted because in coming posts we will explore the subject matter of "the Nude Boy" in more detail. Until then I would like to introduce you to Germaine Greer's book. She tackles the subject matter from a somewhat different perspective (from the feminine outlook) and caught heck for it when the book appeared in print. She explores the many ways one can look at the beauty of the young male figure in art, as boy-toy, virgin soldier, naked martyr, winged genius, angel, seducer, narcissist, and invites the reader to appreciate boys in all their sensuality, spontaneity, and vulnerability. I know I have seen German editions of the book so it should also be available in languages other than English. Highly recommended for your art library. -------------------------------------------- Here are just a few of the many illustrations of artworks in the book: *** Giovanni Batista Caracciolo (1578-1635) .... Sleeping Cupid

Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) The Death of Joseph Barra , 1794

Johann Zoffany (1733-1810) Self-Portrait as David with the Head of Goliath, 1756

Louis-Leopold Boilly (1761-1845) Young Artists in the Studio, 1820

Ludovico Carracci (1555-1619) Sleeping Nude Boy

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Title: The Beautiful Boy

Author: Germaine Greer

Publisher: Rizzoli, New York, 2003 (First published in the UK as The Boy

ISBN: 0-8478-2586-8