A collection of classic male physique photos from the 20th century with an emphasis on the thousands of men who posed for Athletic Model Guild (AMG).
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Russian?
I've seen this photo many times over the years. If I recall correctly, the models were wrestlers from Russia sometime in the late 1890s or early 1900s.
I'm not positive, but I think the guy in the black thong is Georg Lurich, an Estonian wrestler who was trained in St. Petersburg, Russia. Estonia was part of the Russian Empire at the time, so no surprise there. Would be unthinkable today.
No, you're not the only one. FWIW, Lurich had a close personal and professional relationship with a younger Estonian wrestler named Aberg. (I don't think that's Aberg with him in this picture.) The two of them were buried in the same grave when they died in an epidemic during the Russian Civil War around 1920. Some observers think they might have been lovers, especially given that neither ever showed much interest in women.
I'm not positive, but I think the guy in the black thong is Georg Lurich, an Estonian wrestler who was trained in St. Petersburg, Russia. Estonia was part of the Russian Empire at the time, so no surprise there. Would be unthinkable today.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. I found a few pics of Georg and I can see the resemblance. And the timeframe fits. Thanks!
DeleteIs it odd that I find this photo someone erotic and I think it was made to look that way?
No, you're not the only one. FWIW, Lurich had a close personal and professional relationship with a younger Estonian wrestler named Aberg. (I don't think that's Aberg with him in this picture.) The two of them were buried in the same grave when they died in an epidemic during the Russian Civil War around 1920. Some observers think they might have been lovers, especially given that neither ever showed much interest in women.
DeleteWOW! What a story! Thanks for filling me in.
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