Throughout much of history, the nude male figure was virtually the only subject that could be used to articulate homoerotichomoerotic desire in publicly displayed works of art. In most cases, representations of nude males were intended to embody the spiritual and political ideals of the societies in which they were produced. Only rarely were erotic qualities overtly emphasized in public works. Nevertheless, artists, patrons, and viewers who recognized the sensual appeal of these figures almost certainly exploited them to nourish their romantic lives. In many cultures, sexually explicit depictions of male nudes were confined to works of art intended for discreet, private "consumption." Unfortunately, the study of these images has been inhibited by the efforts of successive