Tom of Finland Sold at Auction Prices

Touko Valio Laaksonen, better known as artist Tom of Finland, was the 20th century's most noted creator of gay male visual erotica. Editor Bob Mizer coined Tom's pseudonym to accompany his cover for 1958's Winter issue of Physique Pictorial. Tom of Finland's early drawings featured men in uniform, bikers, and leathermen, in stark contrast to the then-prevailing image of gay men as soft and effeminate. He also took private commissions, which remained unpublished. In 1968, as part of Tom Finland's art for sale, he created a comic series featuring a character named Kake.

While Tom of Finland's later drawings may seem tame by modern standards, he was able to become more explicit as the various U.S. pornography codes were either relaxed or repealed. His style for these incorporated greater amounts of photorealism. Collectors can find exceptional nude drawings for sale from many fine artists through Invaluable.