We're a little late to the brouhaha regarding former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey and the nude portrait that got his ex-wife's panties in a bunch last weekend—given that the story involves not only one of our favorite formerly closeted political figures but one of our favorite art photographers as well, we really should have posted something about it sooner. Then again, maybe it's not such a bad thing we waited: we heard from NYC-based photographer Richard Renaldi himself this week, and he graciously shared with us the uncensored version of the portrait of his boyfriend which caused all the drama to begin with. Now that we've seen it, we can't imagine why the former Mrs. McGreevey was so upset: Renaldi's work is highly respected in the New York gallery scene, and his sexy-yet-tasteful photograph is one we'd be happy to have hanging in our own bedroom. (Unless she was jealous over the fact that Renaldi's boyfriend looks a hell of a lot better naked than her ex-husband ever did—though not having seen McGreevey naked ourselves that's just more speculation on our part too.)
· "McGreevey poster-boy fallout" (timeoutny.com)
· "McG'S GAY POSTER BOY" (NY Post)
See also:
· Richard Renaldi Photographs (renaldi.com)
· Richard Renaldi @ Yossi Milo Gallery, NYC (yossimilo.com)
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Previously: Hotel Room Portraits by Richard Renaldi