Homosexuality in ancient and modern art masterpieces has always been a debated topic that still arouses the interest of scholars and art lovers.
Many of the great artists of antiquity and the Renaissance painted erotic scenes between people of the same sex: in ancient cultures often explicitly; in the Renaissance, however, more cryptically, given the prevailing homophobia in those times that, in many cases, led homosexual people to prison or the death penalty. Homosexuality in modern art has, on the other hand, been a driving force behind many of the greatest artistic expressions of the 20th century and has had an important political function, contributing to the creation of an alternative culture and the struggle for civil rights for the LGBTQIA+ community.
In this article, we will explore how art has represented homosexuality over the centuries and how it has influenced popular culture.
Homosexuality in ancient art
In many ancient cultures, homosexuality was accepted and even celebrated.
In ancient Greek art, homosexuality was often depicted in mythological scenes, in which gods or heroes had love affairs with people of the same sex. For example, the relationship between Zeus and Ganymede was one of the most well-known stories of the time, and was depicted in many works of art. This relationship, involving the sky god and a beautiful young shepherd, was seen as a celebration of male beauty and youth.
One of the most famous masterpieces depicting homosexuality in ancient Greek art is the figure of Antinous, the young lover of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who died prematurely and became a kind of deity. The statue, made in the second century CE, depicts Antinous as a naked, beardless young man in a seductive and sensual pose. The statue of Antinous is in one of the Vatican museums today.
Homosexuality in Etruscan art is an interesting and controversial topic that has attracted scholarly interest for decades. Some of the best-known finds from Etruscan culture depicting homosexuality are the so-called “bucchero ceramics“, black earthenware vessels of cylindrical or conical shape, decorated with stylized designs. Among these designs can be found erotic scenes between men, often in suggestive and provocative positions.
Another known find from Etruscan culture depicting homosexuality is the Tomb of the Bulls in Tarquinia, dating from the 4th century BCE. The tomb is decorated with frescoes, some of which show erotic scenes between men. These scenes have been interpreted as expressions of widespread homosexuality in Etruscan culture.
Homosexuality in Egyptian art is also a much discussed and controversial topic among scholars. While some argue that homosexuality was not accepted in Egyptian society, others claim that Egyptian culture was more open and accepting than other cultures of the time. Indeed, ancient Egyptian art often depicts men and women showing gestures of affection, such as kissing or hugging. In some cases, these gestures have been interpreted by scholars as examples of homosexuality. A famous example of this type of art is the tomb of Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep, two men who lived during the reign of Pharaoh Niuserre. Their tomb contains many scenes showing the two men embracing each other, kissing (one well-known scene is when they share a blanket).
Homosexuality in Renaissance art
Homosexuality was viewed negatively by the Catholic Church, which exercised strong control over the lives and works of artists of the time. Moreover, homosexuality was considered a sin and a crime, and those convicted risked being persecuted and even sentenced to death.
As a result, many Renaissance artists depicted homosexuality cryptically to avoid being persecuted or condemned by the church or society.
For example, Michelangelo’s works, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, have been interpreted by many scholars as cryptic expressions of homosexuality. In these works, the artist depicted nude male figures in suggestive positions, yet without being too explicit. The most famous scene is “The Creation of Adam” in which the fingers of God and Adam almost touch in a gesture of love. This interpretation of Michelangelo’s work has been debated among scholars for decades, and it remains a clear example of how cryptically homosexuality was represented in Renaissance art.
Even Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest artists and scientists of the Renaissance, allegedly included cryptic queer details in his works. Although there is no concrete evidence about his homosexuality, there are some artworks and writings that suggest his sexual and romantic attraction to people of the same sex.
Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous work of art, which might suggest the artist’s possible homosexuality, is the painting “The Mona Lisa“. The world’s best-known masterpiece has often been interpreted as a representation of the concept of “androgyny“, or the combination of the two binary genders (male-female) in a person. The Mona Lisa appears to have masculine features, such as an elongated face and short hair, but at the same time has feminine features such as full lips and rounded eyebrows. This androgyny may have been interpreted by Leonardo as an attraction to both sexes. The artist would have modeled himself not only on a woman but also on his alleged lover, the apprentice Salaj.
If you want to find out more about queer art of this period, Quiiky Travel organizes days exploring the works of artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo, but also others such as Oscar Wilde, Hendrik Christian Andersen, and Thomas Mann. Check it out by clicking on the text below: Explore your identity in our Italian LGBTQ+ tours.
Homosexuality in modern art
In the history of modern art, many artists have shown homosexuality more explicitly in their works.
One of the first art movements to explicitly address the issue of homosexual orientation was the Pop Art movement, which used the image of the human body as a means of social criticism and identity representation. Among the artists of this movement was the celebrated exponent of Pop Art, namely Andy Warhol.
“Ladies and Gentlemen” (1975) is a series of work by Andy Warhol that represents one of the American artist’s most significant and little-known projects. Consisting of 250 portraits of African American and Latina drag queens and trans women in New York City, this series was published at a time when interest in gender fluidity was growing. Warhol was known for his attention to minorities and subcultures, and this series of portraits is an example of his sensitivity to the LGBTQIA+ community. The images depict drag queens and trans women in elaborate clothing and makeup, but also with a serene and composed expression, with no trace of judgment or prejudice. In this way, Warhol sought to challenge gender stereotypes and celebrate diversity and individuality.
Another example of modern art addressing the issue of homosexuality, but especially the civil rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and the fight against AIDS, is the work by Keith Haring, one of the most important artists of the 1980s street art movement.
The work “Once upon a time” (featured in the bathroom of an LGBTQ center in Manhattan) is a riot of black-and-white sexual symbols made by Keith Haring in 1989, a year before he died of AIDS.
About the disease that led to his death, Keith Haring often depicted men and women showing signs of HIV infection, such as lesions on the skin or symbols of the virus. These paintings were considered a form of AIDS prevention activism and awareness of the disease.
Another example of twentieth-century queer-themed art comes to us from the series of drawings by Tom of Finland, a Finnish artist famous for his images of muscular, bearded men. This type of representation of homosexuality had a great impact on gay culture in the 1960s and 1970s, contributing to sexual liberation and the creation of an alternative culture.
Robert Mapplethorpe’s photography has also become iconic for LGBTQIA+ art culture: his shots depict male nudes, sex scenes, and portraits of people in the LGBTQ+ community. One of Mapplethorpe’s best-known works is his “X Portfolio” series, made in 1978, which depicts explicit sex and BDSM scenes.
How homosexuality in art has influenced popular culture
Homosexuality in art has been represented since ancient times, but its representation has changed over the centuries. From cryptic and subtle representation in antiquity and the Renaissance, we have moved to explicit and direct representation in modern art.
Art has played an important role in the struggle for civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community, but some artists have also suffered discrimination and persecution because of this representation. Regardless, art continues to be an important means of expression for the LGBTQ+ community, which has used its creativity to celebrate same-sex love and fight homophobia.
