Throughout history, artists have depicted men in very different ways. These depiction are typically influenced by things such as culture, religion, personal style, artistic elements, and time period. Some of these representations seem to almost contradict others, but they are all depictions of masculinity.
Statue of Apollo, unknown, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Apollo was believed to be the son of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. In Greek mythology, Apollo was the sun god, as well as the god of music and law. As a god, he was seen as a model of masculine perfection.
Male Nude [verso], Michelangelo, c. 1560, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Michelangelo was known for his depictions of the human body. This drawing is from 20 drawings that Michelangelo did when he was studying the male figure. Here Michelangelo shows his idea of masculinity as large and muscled, but beautiful and graceful in a way.
The most famous work of Michelangelo's work with male nudes is the statue of David. There was no image available, but I have a video.
(Main View), From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Here Telemachus is shown as an example of tenderness and love. This artist implies that these characteristics are masculine. Eucharis is holding on to Telemachus which makes Telemachus appear to be her protector or her rock. This is also an element of masculinity. In addition, Telemachus wears blue and Eucharis wears pink. These are classic gender specific colors. Telemachus also holds a spear which is a symbol of his role as protector and warrior.
John Jennings Esq., his Brother and Sister-in-Law, Alexander Roslin, 1769, From the collection of: Nationalmuseum Sweden
In this era, men wore white curly wigs which we would now consider rather feminine. However, at this point it was a mark of class and masculinity. Here the two men are shown on either side of the woman, once again taking on the role of protectors as men. Both of the men wear harsher colors than the woman. The man in red has a sword hilt visible at his hip. This again shows the man's role as warrior.
MASCULINE STUDY, JULIO ROMERO DE TORRES, 1892, From the collection of: Museo Julio Romero de Torres
Similarly to Michelangelo, the artist of this work depicts man as muscled and strong. However, this work contrasts with the earlier work of Michelangelo in that the figure is closed, rather than open like the one in Michelangelo's. This suggests a less open manner of masculinity. It brings to mind the common assumption that men should be closed off to emotion and things that are considered to be more feminine.
This work by Sarah Lucas shows man in a way that people of our generation are more adapted to. He wears blue jeans and work boots, suggested that a man is someone who labors, and he sits in a relaxed and slouched pose. In addition, Sarah Lucas is also the creator of several somewhat lewd art works depicting the anatomy of men in a witty manner.
Adam, Iwona Liegmann, 2005/2005, From the collection of: Centre of Contemporary Art Znaki Czasu
This work shows Adam in the Garden of Eden, a scene which most people view as the birth of man. However, this work puts an contemporary and somewhat ironic twist on the traditional scene. Adam, the first man, is shown as a monkey, suggesting either the idea of man evolving from primates or that man is merely a dumb animal. Also, Adam is wearing a western costume which further serves to ridicule the idea of Adam in the garden, but also adds to the idea that masculinity involves labor such as the labor that cattle ranchers did.
This idea of a monkey dressed as a cowboy as the first man on earth is somewhat insulting, but also strangely revealing of the idea of masculinity.
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