John Koch (American, 1909-1978). Model Dressing. Oil on canvas. 20 x 24 inches (50.8 x 61.0 cm). Signed lower right: K...

Description

John Koch (American, 1909-1978)
Model Dressing
Oil on canvas
20 x 24 inches (50.8 x 61.0 cm)
Signed lower right: Koch

PROVENANCE:
Kraushaar Galleries, New York;
Sneed Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, acquired from the above, 1972;
Private collection, Chicago, Illinois.

In John Koch's oeuvre, the portrayal of male nudes holds a significant place, offering a nuanced exploration of form, light, and intimate human connections that subtly engage with themes of homoeroticism. Koch's treatment of male nudes, often situated in the serene and personal spaces of domestic interiors, transcends traditional academic nude studies to delve into the realm of personal and emotional intimacy. Through his masterful use of light, which both reveals and conceals, Koch creates a visual dialogue that explores the aesthetic and sensual qualities of the male form. This interplay of visibility and suggestion invites viewers to perceive beyond the surface, hinting at deeper, often unspoken layers of male camaraderie and affection. By doing so, Koch's work contributes to the broader discourse on masculinity and male beauty, challenging conventional norms and offering a space where the homoerotic can be both acknowledged and celebrated. His male nudes, thus, stand as a testament to the complexity of human relationships and the subtle expressions of desire and connection, marking a distinctive and thoughtful engagement with the themes of homoeroticism within the context of 20th-century art.

In a 2013 article written for Advocate magazine, writer Christopher Harrity brilliantly describes the virtuosity and intriguing point of view evident in John Koch's nudes: "John Koch was dismissed by the more progressive art scene as a society painter. He was little known outside his circle of wealthy, connected patrons. But time has a way of revealing something pleasurable that may have been ignored at the time.

"Koch captured scenes of a New York society that is mostly gone now. The value of seeing his work isn't just the paintings on their own, it has to do with the delight in viewing a world more formal and refined.

"And then there are his paintings of nudes -- sometimes languorous and erotic, where the artist's eye is the fourth unseen wall. Others are staged self-portraits of Koch as the artist with models appearing more naked than they would have for the presence of his fully dressed and distracted figure along side them.

"Koch's style would have been referred to as realistic, but his realism was tinged with the blurry fantasy of Park Avenue Bohemia. This is society as it would like to see itself. Contemplative and arty with fine Chinese antiques and sumptuous drapes. Now that the heat of Abstract Impressionism is off, the work has an elegant bittersweet feel.

"But beyond the well-heeled devotees who were certain they were upholding "tradition" there are the sensuous nudes. They dare us to believe that the story ended with a shared cigarette in a dusty studio, the smell of oil paint and the setting sun catching the model and artist in an intimate moment." (Artist Spotlight: John Koch, Advocate magazine, July 27, 2013, www.advocate.com)


More information about John Koch. See also: Koch, John Artist.



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