Eugen Sandow

Eugen Sandow

Eugen Sandow was a bodybuilder and strongman who helped changed the male image in the late 1800s-early 1900s. He performed on multiple stages, showing off his strength and muscles to an audience of both men and women. Men could be inspired by his strength to make changes in their own lives and try to become as manly as he was. Sandow also modeled for postcards, posters, and pamphlets. His classic pose was nude except for a figleaf. This reference back to the Roman period calls into light the classic figure of strength and poise. People could associate his man with the Roman gods and see him as more than human.

Eugen Sandow

Library of Congress

Britannica

1893

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