7The art of Bruce Sargeant was long undiscovered. New York-based artist
Mark Beard has devoted the last two decades to exploring and amassing
the work of Bruce Sargeant, a painter who idealized and celebrated the
beauty of the male form. His subtly-toned oil paintings of young men at
sport and leisure are reminiscent of classic figure painting,
highlighting his beaux arts training, yet their gentle elegance
continues to speak to contemporary audiences. His work has found a new
audience in an age that no longer treads coyly around male sexuality.
Foreshadowing fashion photographers such as Bruce Weber and Greg Gorman,
it's no surprise that one of Sargeant's greatest pieces, a mural of
seminude gymnasts, hangs in the branch of Abercrombie & Fitch on
Fifth Avenue in New York City. Others can be seen in the label's Milan
and Tokyo flagships.