The art of Touko Laaksonen (1920-1991), famous throughout the world as Tom of Finland, has had an impact upon the culture at large. In this study, Micha Ramakers explores the work and its effect. Illustrated with more than eighty drawings and photographs, Dirty Pictures is lively and entertaining. It encompasses the rise of the gay movement, the world of fine art, the function and functioning of pornography, and the impact of the artist known as Tom of Finland.

Dirty Pictures: Tom of Finland, Masculinity and Homosexuality

Arts & Photography

Ramakers, Micha

TOM.

Drawing

UNKNO

In this groundbreaking study of the art of Touko Laaksonen (1920-1991), better known as Tom of Finland, Micha Ramakers explores the incredible and defining impact Tom's work has had upon the culture at large. It is work whose erotic and emotional power remains unabated to this day. Lavishly illustrated with drawings and photographs, Dirty Pictures is a lively and entertaining book encompassing the rise of the gay movement, the world of fine art, and the function (and the functioning) of pornography. For the millions of fans of Tom's work throughout the world, as well as readers unfamiliar with his work, this study brings uncommon insight into Tom of Finland's decidedly uncommon work.

Dirty Pictures: Tom of Finland, Masculinity, and Homosexuality

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

St.Martin's Press

Stonewall Inn Editions

His art is about high-octane masculinity, with every straining muscle of these muscular bodies lovingly detailed under clothing about to rip apart at the seams. And that includes the crucial zone below the belt, both fore and aft. There was nothing ambiguous about Tom of Finland's interest in his objects of desire: ""lf I don't have an erection when I'm doing a drawing, I know it's no good"", he himself said. The eroti-cism is naked, even aggressive. The poses inevitably consigned his work to the pornography shelves, and the walls of leather bars in the gay scene. So far there has been no account of the artistic virtuosity of his work.
The present volume traces the life and career of this important artist. Born in southern Finland, Tom played the piano at local coffee shops to supplement his income as a graphic artist until his watercolors of male sexuality began to appear as covers on major American gay publications. His impact as an artist has since stretched far beyond the gay scene.

Tom of Finland: The Art of Pleasure

Taschen America, LLC

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Books by Ramakers, Micha