ADAM IN PARADISE (1914) BY THE DANISH PAINTER KRISTIAN ZAHRTMANN (1843-1917)
"Zahrtmann never married, and rumors were rife in Copenhagen society concerning his sexual proclivities. Late in life, he produced a number of paintings of nude men [including the one above]. These works were immediately scored as scandalous violations of public decency. The treatment of Adam [was considered] particularly provocative, with its vital, young, muscular Adam casually concealing his manhood with a sprig of fig leaves while leaning back in a lush, vividly colored botanic paradise. Museums primly declined to purchase these works, and most are still in private hands."
