Prothero says he is still in the midst of researching Post and his work, but so far, he's only found a handful of local newspaper clippings mentioning the photographer's existence in Colorado. He did discover something of note: a particular image of a nude woman -- a photograph exhibiting Post's expert use of light and shadow -- that was awarded first place by the Colorado Press Association in 1969.
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Working out of Leadville and Denver, Post also had a professional studio in Brooklyn, New York in the '50s. When he died in Denver in 1999, hundreds of women -- some identified by full name, others unlabeled -- had stepped in front of his lens, for images that the artist developed himself. Also an accomplished landscape photographer, Post used Colorado's outdoor brilliance as the backdrop for his nudes from time to time, too. When asked why it took Prothero more than a decade to share these unearthed images, he says it was simply a matter of time -- and space. "I've had them all in storage all this time, and I always thought that in the future it would be cool do this show," says the curator. "Now I have friends who have a space to do it." Prothero also hopes that through the exhibition, some of the women photographed might come forward, and help fill in the blanks of Post's story. For now, though, the information about the nude subjects themselves will be kept private. The John B. Post vintage nudes exhibition and soiree is open to the public this Saturday, July 14, from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. at 1644 Platte St. in Denver. The black and white images will also be for sale, and priced reasonably, promises Prothero. For more information on the show, visit the event's website or Facebook event page.Follow @WestwordCulture
