You’ve heard of Nipples at the Met so today let me introduce Pubes in Ancient Athens.
Kouros (Aristodikos), found in Mesogeia (Attica), c. 510-500 B.C., marble. National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Poseidon, found in the Gulf of Livadostra (Boeotia), c. 480 B.C., bronze. National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Zeus/Poseidon, found off Cape Artemision (Euobea), c. 460 B.C., bronze. National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Apollo, found in the Theater of Dionysos (Athens), 2nd century A.D. copy of bronze original from c. 460-450 B.C., marble. National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Hermes, found in Troezen, 2nd century A.D. copy of bronze original possibly by Kalamis from c. 460-450 B.C., marble. National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Youth Binding his Hair (Diadoumenos), found in the House of Diadoumenos (Delos), 100 B.C. copy of original by Polykleitos from c. 450-425 B.C., marble. National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Antikythera Youth, found off the islet of Antikythera, c. 340-330 B.C., bronze. National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Possibly Agasias, Fighting Gaul, found in the Agora of the Italians (Delos), c. 100 B.C., marble. National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Youth Wearing a Chlamys, found in Athens, late 1st century B.C. - early 1st century A.D., marble. National Archaeological Museum, Athens
How ironic that this year we celebrate the 30th, or XXX, Olympic Games! Why is that ironic? Because XXX often denotes pornographic content and today’s entry appropriately pays homage to a XXX aspect of ancient Greek art (home to the historic Olympics). I just hope today’s modern games provide some WTF, XXX material, perhaps in swimming or gymnastics?
On my recent trip to the National Archeological Museum in Athens, I became fixated a sculptural detail that I had hitherto overlooked: male pubic hair. Evidently male pubic hair in ancient Greek sculpture was an equal opportunity employer for post-adolescent men, as seen in representations of gods, mortals and foreigners alike. Below, enjoy the full view of the above details and when sexy enough, I’ve included the arse (I couldn’t resist). Finally, these nicely manscaped hunks remind me of a previous WTF Art History entry on the manscaped Jesus. Check it out and hopefully you’ll be inspired to do a little personal landscaping!
