Leather Archives & Museum ( LAM ), 6418 N. Greenview Ave., unveiled a newly acquired photograph by the late photographer George Dureau ( 1930-2014 ) the afternoon of July 28.
Best known for capturing images of male nudes, Dureau was noted for having been a key influence on the work of Robert Mapplethorpe, said LAM Executive Director Gary Wasdin.
"He's a photographer that's not well-known in many circles," he added. " … Mapplethorpe learned a lot from Dureau and their works are almost identical—including Mapplethorpe reproducing Dureau's same works. But Mapplethorpe has gotten the glory. Nevertheless, Dureau's black and white works, especially his male nudes, are stunning."
The photograph was donated to LAM by Chicago philanthropist and LAM supporter Norman Sandfield. The acquisition was arranged through the archives of the late Fort Collins, Iowa-based collector and artist William Doan (1940-2015), who spent many years in Chicago and was a member of the ONYX leather club.
"Norman's generosity adds not only so much to the museum [itself] but also to what people coming to the museum learn about the artist," Wasdin said.
