One-man show

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Bernard Perlin (1918-2014) was a pivotal figure in twentieth-century American art and gay cultural history, known for his boundary-pushing artistry and sexual renegade spirit. His works graced popular magazines in the mid-20th century and were collected by influential families such as the Rockefellers and Whitneys, as well as major institutions like the Smithsonian and the Museum of Modern Art. Perlin's clientele included prominent literary, artistic, and political figures. As a government propaganda artist and war correspondent, he created iconic imagery of World War II. From the 1930s onward, he boldly depicted scenes from underground gay bars and nude studies of street hustlers, reflecting his vibrant gay life. Socially, he mingled with New York's elite gay society, known as the “cufflink crowd,” which included luminaries like Truman Capote and Leonard Bernstein. He also formed close relationships with notable artists and writers such as Vincent Price and E. M. Forster. Simultaneously, he navigated the gay underworlds of New York and Rome, engaging in escapades that rivaled those of Jean Genet and Tennessee Williams. Michael Schreiber chronicles Perlin's remarkable life, friendships, and adventures through interviews, excerpts from unpublished memoirs, unseen photos, and a rich selection of his art.