Documentarian Ryan White has covered queer Americana in previous films including Visible: Out on Television and The Case Against 8. His short film Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker covers one of the 20th century’s most preeminent illustrators.
J.C. Leyendecker was best known for his book, advertising, and poster illustrations. He was often featured in The Saturday Evening Post, and his depiction of Santa Claus as a jolly, round man in red attire became part of the American landscape, inspiring artists like Norman Rockwell. But more importantly, Leyendecker was a gay man whose partner Charles Beach served as the model for much of his work. The documentary depicts how his art was coded with blatant (and not-so-blatant) homoerotic imagery.
White lets the pictures speak for themselves, in both terms of quality and quantity. In a 54-year period that ended in 1950, Leyendecker produced 322 covers for The Saturday Evening Post. His legacy is unquestioned, as Leyendecker’s designs for The Arrow Collar Man as well as Kuppenheimer Suits became emblematic of the stylish American male during the early 20th century. More importantly, White explores how Leyendecker’s homosexual identity informed his work. The artist depicts various homosocial spaces in his work (tailors, bathhouses, etc.) as well as devilishly attractive men exchanging curious, knowing glances.
White also illustrates how Leyendecker influenced advertising and popular culture throughout his art. Using interviews, animation, and examples of his art, as well as Neil Patrick Harris in some bits as the artist himself, Coded is a marvelous documentary. Clocking in at only twenty-nine minutes, you’re wondering if White was testing the waters to see if he could make a feature-length movie. One can hope. This film would work well for historians of queer and LGBTQ culture, as well as fans of artist retrospectives. It would make for a great selection for Pride Month as well.