Art and Homosexuality
A History of Ideas
Christopher Reed
Reviews and Awards
"It's not the first book on the subject, but 'Art and Homosexuality: A History of Ideas' is certainly among the best."--Los Angeles Times Culture Monster blog
"Reed's book carries forward a long-overdue reckoning that began in a very public and controversial way with the exhibition 'Hide/Seek' at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery late last year."--Philip Kennicott, The Washington Post
"Art and Homosexuality succeeds brilliantly at addressing the profound question: Why have art and sexual variation been linked for so long, across so many cultures, and in such disparate ways? Reed's perceptive interpretations of artists and works build one upon the next, offering a forceful argument while also weaving a fascinating new social history."--James Saslow, author of Pictures and Passions: A History of Homosexuality in the Visual Arts
"Christopher Reed's groundbreaking and long overdue discussion of the historically intertwined relationship of artistic and homosexual identities is smart, intensively researched, beautifully written and illustrated. His thoughtful interpretation of events and superb visual analysis of individual artworks, make Art and Homosexuality central to any discussion of contemporary art. An excellent teaching resource, it belongs on every reading list and in every library."--Harmony Hammond, author of Lesbian Art in America: A Contemporary History
"This is an extremely thorough and timely addition to the literature on homosexuality and art. Wide-ranging and handsomely illustrated, it is also appropriately controversial"--Simon Watney, author of Imagine Hope: AIDS and Gay Identity
"Art and Homosexuality offers a brilliant and accessible account of the complex links between art and sexuality. With case studies drawn from societies around the world, attention to lesbian, as well as gay, artists and audiences, and its demolishment of longstanding orthodoxies, Art and Homosexuality is destined to become the go-to book on this controversial topic."--Martin A. Berger, author of Sight Unseen: Whiteness and American Visual Culture
"Christopher Reed deftly synthesizes recent scholarship and historical sources to demonstrate how art and sexual dissidence productively intertwine. His vivid examples and elegant prose make this study accessible without sacrificing complexity. Art and Homosexuality requires (and equips) us to rethink what we think we know about art history."--Tirza True Latimer, author of Women Together/Women Apart: Portraits of Lesbian Paris
"Reed's arguments strike me as admirably lucid and ambitious and they are well-illustrated by a variety of plates, many in color." --Jon Lackman, The Art History Newsletter
"In this gorgeously illustrated work, Reed examines the long standing link between sexual identity and art. From the ancient world and the Renaissance to a thorough examination of modernism's active exploration of sexuality, Reed will open up your eyes to homosexuality's prevalence in the history of art." --Joseph Pedro, Passport Magazine
"It is difficult to criticize this book because it truly is well written and interesting. Art & Homosexuality will be a very interesting read for anyone interested in the history of homosexuality and art and for individuals interested in learning more about prevalent societal attitudes concerning gender role expectations, homosexuality, heterosexuality (and sexuality in general) at different point of time throughout history."--Elin Weiss, Metapsychology Online Reviews
"Reed makes an important contribution to an understudied and complex topic--the persistent linking of art and homosexuality over time and across cultures.... Accessible writing and judiciously chosen illustrations combine with scholarly methods to produce a volume capable of serving multiple audiences, and useful as both a reference source and a textbook. Highly recommended."--CHOICE
