Index to Tom of Finland Articles

Tom of Finland - Stable Boy (1985)

I've seen this described as Tom's best picture. 
There's an endearing feeling of nostalgia as Tom's musclebound cop (his 'alter ego'),
extends a hand to the younger generation, each dressed for their own era. It brings new meaning to grooming. Tom was 65 when he drew this and AIDS was at it's height, decimating the gay community, so it seems an appropriate gesture. Note the envious horse!


My article on Tom of Finland
 in the 'A-Z of Fetish Artists' series comes in 9 parts

 

Part 1 - The Lasting Appeal of Tom of Finland

Careless men, Tom's harder edge, his technique and influences

Part 2 - Kake Nos 1-9

The classic 'lost leathers' episodes - and some bizarre diversions, misogyny, husbands and hijackers

Part 3 - Kake Nos 10-15  

Man hunting leads Kake to the dungeon - and a story of revenge that doesn't fit

Part 4 - Kake Nos 16-26

A final flourish of conflict and masculinity ends with a damp squib

Part 5 - The Sinister Tom of Finland

The darker themes no-one wants to acknowledge

Part 6 - Black and White -I

Stereotypes, sportsmen and the thrill of forbidden fraternisation

Part 7 - Black and White -II

A final flowering in maturity

Part 8 - Tom's Thieves
Repeated misfortunes and a lasting obsession.

Part 9 - Tom's Fetish Credentials
Spanking, bondage and leather. Tom returns to the barricades. 

 

In addition, there are other articles about Tom of Finland here:-

 

Selected series 

 

Bar Predators, Bar Predators Revisited - reviewing and extending a popular series, arguably his best.

New unearthed artwork - 3 motorcyclists cavort in mud, from 1959

The Thieving Cowboy - bondage and spanking from 1957

The Mystery of Mr Universe - skulduggery and justice from 1961 

 

 

Drawing Style and Themes 

 

The Petulant Leatherman - surprising attitudes and unexpected emotions in one picture
Boot Worship  part of an article on another artist

Tailors and hidden eroticism - hero worship as a form of submissiveness.

Tom's Sailors ,  Tom's Sailors 2
Beards in Tom of Finland - their frequency and significance
Tom's Beard in the Pekka story 'Loggers'  - the ' Loggers' seduction scene

Tom and Fascism - The historical background

Classic Homoerotic Images - Leather Buddies

 

 

You can find further references and images by clicking on the 'Tom of Finland' label at the foot of the post or by using the search function (top right, sidebar column)

 

Originally published 21st Nov 2014