Gorgeous portraits captures feminine side of masculinity

[merithyn]

I'm not overly keen on the pics, but then, I'm not overly keen on the same things with women in them. I prefer less posed portraits of real people, rather than overly posed pictures of very pretty people.

Pics can be found here.

Are you sick of art history's obsession with the gentle beauty of a female muse? Enough of these beautiful women with coy glances, flowing locks and milky soft skin -- we're ready for the men.

Nir Arieli's portrait series "Men" places men in traditionally feminine spaces and postures, illuminating the human characteristics that have, over time, become decidedly feminine traits. The following male muses are making us wish men felt free to explore their feminine sides more often. Behold, 11 reasons men should get in touch with a softer self. Read more about Arieli below.

"In my work I try to expose a component of masculinity that was once oppressed by common social codes," Arieli wrote in an email to The Huffington Post. "Gentleness, uncensored emotion, vulnerability –- all of these became, under the influence of the social evolution, unnatural characteristics when manifested by men."

For his subjects, Arieli selects men who freely exhibit characteristics normally reserved for feminine territory. "They do it unapologetically and shamelessly, almost proclaiming a new forthcomingness," Arieli explained.

It's a large leap from Arieli's initial photography endeavor, serving as a military photographer for an Israeli magazine. With their gentle palettes and soft gazes, Arieli's "Men" emanate a tenderness not normally associated with masculinity. After gushing over this series, we're beginning to question why that is.

[Capetan Mihali]

   Troll? 

[CountDeMoney]

Why are they all crying?  Gay.

[merithyn]

Why are they all crying?  Gay.

Because it's feminine to cry.

[mongers]

Arse, I clicked on the link; now I'm gonna have to clear my interwebs cache and the NSA have forever added another tag to my profile. 

[CountDeMoney]

Why are they all crying?  Gay.

Because it's feminine to cry.

That's sexist.  You know better than that.

[Grallon]

Number 7 - Mike - sweet little thing.




G.

[Queequeg]

Gay.

[derspiess]

Is joke, yes?

[MadImmortalMan]

Most of them don't look particularly feminine to me. They generally have strong, square jawlines, eyes not too far apart, some facial hair etc.

[Caliga]

This thread needs implants.

[merithyn]

Why are they all crying?  Gay.

Because it's feminine to cry.

That's sexist.  You know better than that.

Of course I do. The artist, however, doesn't appear to.

Okay, so question. Is it an insult to call a man feminine?

[MadImmortalMan]

Okay, so question. Is it an insult to call a man feminine?

It's like "nigga". Blacks can use it but whites can't.   

[Admiral Yi]

Most of them don't look particularly feminine to me. They generally have strong, square jawlines, eyes not too far apart, some facial hair etc.

Wide-set eyes is a girly thing?

[derspiess]

Of course I do. The artist, however, doesn't appear to.

Okay, so question. Is it an insult to call a man feminine?

Duh.