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THBRobert Bliss (American, 1925-1981)
About Seller
1155 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02909
United States
Vallot Auctioneers was founded in 2003 as a fine art specialty auction house in Tribeca, and recognized as one of the first fine art specialty auction galleries in Manhattan. Now based in Providence, RI, the auction house continues the excellence in focusing on bringing fresh quality lots to the mar...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
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About Auction
LiveFeb 26, 2026
Our first AFTER DARK auction of the year features fine art from masters of the male form such as Rex (a rare original pen and ink), The Hun (several important original artworks created for publication), MATT (Charles Kerbs) (original illustrations), Bruce of Los Angeles (Steve Reeves photographs hand-signed by Bruce of LA), Robert R. Bliss (a rare large 1957 painting), Chuck Arnett (the painting exhibited in the 1979 Fey-Way Studios gallery the night Robert Opel was murdered), and many exceptionally scarce pieces of queer ephemera, including Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Club 82 NYC... Vallots Auctioneers info@vallots.com
View Full Catalog (119)
- Lot Description
Three Men in Bondage. 1957. Oil on Masonite. Artist signature and date on the bottom right, "R. Bliss '57. "Framed. 25 1/2 x 61 1/2" (Painting.) 28 1/2 x 64 1/2" (overall.)
A rare, daring, pre-Stonewall homoerotic artwork (painted during the Lavender Scare) and a quite large painting by this influential American artist.
The three male figures are in poses reminiscent of the nude male figures painted by Michelangelo on the Sistine Chapel ceiling (1508-1512). In this painting Bliss depicts each man bound to the other with a golden-colored rope. The rope comes down radiantly from the top left corner and binds the ankle, hand, and neck of each man, entwining the trio together.
Provenance: property of a western Massachusetts collection.Condition
Minor surface abrasions to the center, some bowing to the center of the board and some areas of irregular varnish. Overall the painting shows well and perhaps would benefit from a light professional cleaning.
For further condition details or additional images, please contact info@vallots.com - Shipping Info
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We do not offer in-house packing and shipping services. Shipping can be expensive, please consider obtaining an estimate prior to bidding. Below we have listed our preferred shipper as a courtesy, and we will be glad to assist you with your third-party shipping needs, however, we assume no liability for any shipper you use or any loss or damage occasioned in transport or otherwise as a result of shipping.
THE UPS STORE - CRANSTON
148 Atwood Ave, Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 654-6381
THE UPS STORE - PARSONAGE STREET
22 Parsonage Street, Providence, RI 02903
(401) 369-7029
IN PERSON PICK-UPS
In person pick-ups are to be scheduled by appointment during business hours (weekdays 9-4 pm) at 1155 Westminster St. Providence, RI 02909. Please call (401) 273-1618 or email: info@vallots.com
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