The Boy with a Frog by Charles Ray was famously displayed at the head of the Grand Canal in Venice. Or at least it was until it was removed. This is one of the most beautiful and photographed places on Earth.

I was told that one of the reasons the boy was controversial is that he's circumcised in a city where many people consider it a mutilation not far removed from castration.

That got me wondering. What would the reaction have been had the boy been a Eunuch? Perhaps there's material for a good short story in this.

One thing the world, especially a small segment of the United States, has taught me this year is that all it takes is one slight, unexpected dystopian twist, and "Thing X" will suddenly have tens of thousands of rabid, utterly devoted followers of it or swaths of people fighting against it.

Political content removed. -P.

So... yeah, if Boy with a Frog was still up and was castrated since it's installation, I fully believe that it's possible that Austria today might have a whole bunch of men's Alto choirs populated by singers who were dutifully and happily neutered before their voices could break, and youth castration clinics named after Charles Ray.

Hmm; maybe reptiles would become the gift to give a boy once he finds out he's next. If you write on this idea, Atreyu, I expect some good froggy puns!

Yes, here in Italy we consider circumcision a form of mutilation (and, tbh, it IS a form of mutilation: you're removing something from a body) and while it is totally acceptable on a man (18+) it's not on a minor.

Me personally, I don't really care much about it: circumcision is a religious matter for some people and I accept it, even if I think it would be best is the boy wasn't minor and could decide himself wheter to have it or not.

EDIT: and yes, if the boy was eunuch it would have been even worse.

The model was a neighbor boy of Charles Ray who volunteered free of charge. Being an American he was circumcised. Nothing too unusual about that It was just happenstance. Ray would have made the statue uncircumcised if the model had been uncut.

Some people say Jock Sturges only photographs uncut boys. That's not true. It's just the way most of his boy models are.

XBrad93X (imported) wrote: Mon Jul 13, 2020 6:09 am Yes, here in Italy we consider circumcision a form of mutilation (and, tbh, it IS a form of mutilation: you're removing something from a body) and while it is totally acceptable on a man (18+) it's not on a minor.

Me personally, I don't really care much about it: circumcision is a religious matter for some people and I accept it, even if I think it would be best is the boy wasn't minor and could decide himself wheter to have it or not.

EDIT: and yes, if the boy was eunuch it would have been even worse.

I'm italian too, and I'm circumcised. As a kid I felt the same hostility

There were cut American boys who enjoyed seeing Boy with Frog when it was in Venice because it looked like they did or they looked like it.

I suppose a Eunuch boy would be reassured by seeing art that celebrated his body displayed in a public place and appreciated by the viewers.

You don't want to hear anyone complaine that the boy has had bits cut off when the same parts have been removed from your own body.

Atreyu69 (imported) wrote: Mon Jul 13, 2020 5:15 pm There were cut American boys who enjoyed seeing Boy with Frog when it was in Venice because it looked like they did or they looked like it.

I suppose a Eunuch boy would be reassured by seeing art that celebrated his body displayed in a public place and appreciated by the viewers.

You don't want to hear anyone complaine that the boy has had bits cut off when the same parts have been removed from your own body.

A such statue would be mistaken for a girl

Atreyu69 (imported) wrote: Mon Jul 13, 2020 5:15 pm There were cut American boys who enjoyed seeing Boy with Frog when it was in Venice because it looked like they did or they looked like it.

I suppose a Eunuch boy would be reassured by seeing art that celebrated his body displayed in a public place and appreciated by the viewers.

You don't want to hear anyone complaine that the boy has had bits cut off when the same parts have been removed from your own body.

Great points ! So true !

@CircItaly hey, bello vedere un altro italiano