Strongman

STRONGMAN Strongman is a photographic celebration of the evolving ideal of the male form. Captivating collection of over 17 hundred historical images (most is unpublished) of muscular men from Tsar’s Russia beginning 1900 until the revolution 1917. Over the last 100 years, the images of the muscular man has known no boundaries; it has been the object of envy, admiration, desire, political power and military might. In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength. In the late 20th century the term strongman changed to describe athletics. This collection gives an opportunity to trace the evolution of communication and aesthetic principles of perception of male beauty at the turn of 19-20 centuries. Strongman is often incorrectly used to describe a person who does weightlifting or bodybuilding. This is not exactly true, as neither existed at the time. Due to the circus and entertainment background, nineteenth century bodybuilders were expected to mingle with the crowd during intermission and perform strength feats like card tearing, nail bending, etc. to demonstrate strength as well as symmetry and size. Also, many strongmen sold photos of themselves nude or near-nude, flexing and posing. What they considered the epitome of male beauty was different from modern ideals – particularly the very low emphasis on chest size, and great emphasis on oblique size, and symmetry. This world-class collection of rare vintage photographs spanning the 1890s to the 1910s, Strongman showcases images of the famous and the forgotten. Herculean specimens abound: Eugene Sandow (The Strongest Man in the World), Lurich, Lebedev, all bulk in, testing the elasticity of their posing garb. Alongside these professional competitors are equally fascinating period snapshots that provide a candid peak at anonymous muscular men aspiring to the icon. The photos in Strongman depict a wide variety of scenarios: There are wrestlers locked in gladiatorial combat, acrobats linked in human pyramids, full-length portraits and strongmen in masks. Partner assisted bodyweight movement are where a lifter “picks up” a partner and uses their bodyweight as the resistance for the exercise. Because the partner’s bodyweight is non-rigid and asymmetrical, this type of training has become popular recently, but it has been used for decades as a means to develop wrestlers, old strongmen and combat athletes.It is a well known fact that the majority of men today are relatively weak, whereas the struggle for existence demands now more than at any previous epoch that we should all be strong! Here is why you must focus on strength in all facets of your life, explained by this quote from George “The Russian Lion” Hackenschmidt: “The frequent employment of one’s will power masters all organs of movement and trains them to perform feats which otherwise would have been difficult, painful, and even impossible. The man becomes independent and self reliant; He will never be a coward, and, when real danger threatens, he is the one who is looked up to by others. The knowledge of one’s strength entails a real mastery over oneself; it breeds energy and courage, helps one over the most difficult tasks of life, and procures contentment and true enjoyment of living.”