The reason I offered that background of those three events is because it helps me to explain what Photograph of Yul Brynner was doing socially, culturally, and politically when George Platt Lynes created it. While it wasn’t shown publicly, it can be seen as a metaphor for how groups of people may have been pushed into the shadows or persecuted just because of characteristics such as class or sexuality. However, the efforts to push these people away does not change the fact that they still are who they are.

When comparing the Yul Brynner nude to one of Lynes fashion photographs, we can see that his public work, like Lisa for Henri Bendel, is more elegant and posed, using elaborate props to create a scene. They are more “proper.” His nudes are more minimalistic, featuring honest and natural compositions of naked men. Lynes secured an income by diving into the fashion photography world, which parallels its flashy and commercialized style. His nudes, however, are more personal. Brynner looks straight into the camera, unabashed. His expression seems confident yet exasperated, as if he is saying, “I’m here, plain as day, but you won’t see me.” Such was the case for Lynes true passion—male nudes—but because of the social and political climate at the time, he had to suppress a part of himself.

However, we also see that in this nude, Brynner has a defiant uplifted chin and determined, unashamed face. His genitals are completely visible and exposed, but he seems to not care. He not only looks comfortable but also proud to be standing there being photographed. His family background in Russia might add some context to this. Perhaps he felt comfortable as a subject for this photograph because he understands that feeling of being persecuted and having to hide, or even leave, your own home country because the government does not accept you. By photographing nude men, Lynes fought back against the homophobic persecution occurring under Hitler’s dictatorship. He conveyed his pride in his work, even if it was only for himself.

Brynner himself was not gay but decided to become a nude model for Lynes, knowing that consequences for homosexuality ranged from loss of respect and reputation to murder and mutilation across the globe. At this time period, partaking in this activity would have been really risky when it comes to trying to gain a reputation, yet he seems confident and unbothered by this idea in the photograph. Perhaps he felt so confident in his talent that even if those photographs got leaked, he would still be able to make an impact as an actor in America. He knew he would be recognized, and he did it anyway. Lynes did the same: he knew what he was doing was looked down upon and illegal, but he did it anyway. He wasn’t going to let discrimination stop his passion.

MLA Citations:

Fasman, Rebecca. “The Forgotten Legacy of Gay Photographer George Platt Lynes.” The Conversation, 11 Jan. 2019, theconversation.com/the-forgotten-legacy-of-gay-photographer-george-platt-lynes-107850.

“From Juli to Yul: The Brynner Family Saga from Vladivostok to Hollywood.” Wilson Center, Kennan Institute, 26 Jan. 2004, https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/juli-to-yul-the-brynner-family-saga-vladivostok-to-hollywood.

Lynes, George Platt. Lisa for Henri Bendel, 1941. https://pleasurephotoroom.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/lisa-for-henri-bendel-advertisement-photo-george-platt-lynes-new-york-c-1940-41/.

Lynes, George Platt. Photograph of Yul Brynner, 1942. https://www.artnet.com/artists/george-platt-lynes/group-of-3-photographs-of-yul-brynner-r12883Hsy6mhP2YCLthNQ2.

“What Groups of People Did the Nazis Target?” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 4 Apr. 2024, encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/what-groups-of-people-did-the-nazis-target.

Wilding, Dorothy. Yul Brynner, 1951. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw18578/Yul-Brynner?_gl=1*1cob5so*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTk5MzAwMTE4NC4xNzQ0MjEzMDkz*_ga_3D53N72CHJ*MTc0NDIxMzA5Mi4xLjEuMTc0NDIxMzE5Ni4wLjAuMA.

“Yul Brynner.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 3 Feb. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yul-Brynner.