El Greco's depictions of the nude male figure are infused with intense sensual energy, as one can note in examining his many paintings of such religious subjects as Saint Sebastian and Christ on the Cross, as well his occasional representations of mythological themes, such as Laocoön (1610).

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In contrast, he depicted women with restraint and dignity, unusual among male Renaissance artists. In this regard, one can consider, in particular, his numerous images of Mary Magdalen, who was normally characterized as an object of erotic desire.

Although academic scholars have continued to insist on Theotocopoulos' strict heterosexuality, several avant-garde artists and writers, active in the mid-twentieth century, asserted that he was gay. Even the often Ernest Hemingway insisted that El Greco's homosexuality was the primary source of his great creative energy.

Jean Cocteau wrote a lavishly illustrated monograph on El Greco, in which he eloquently and passionately explained the implications of his altarpieces. Cocteau later modeled his illustrations for Jean Genet's Querelle on paintings by Theotocopoulos.

Among other works inspired by this interpretation of the artist, one can note several of Cecil Beaton's homoerotic photographs, which are directly based upon the Renaissance artist's compositions.

The various cultural patterns, especially the conditions of artistic production and the types of subjects and themes represented, provide a great deal of evidence about Renaissance sexuality and art.

Throughout much of history, the nude male figure was virtually the only subject that could be used to articulate homoerotic desire in publicly displayed works of art, as well as those works of art intended for private "consumption."

Sebastian's broad and long-standing presence in queer artistic production suggests that he functions as an emblem of the feelings of shame, rejection, inverted desire, and loneliness endured by queer people in a homophobic society.

The celebrated British photographer Cecil Beaton described himself as a "terrible, terrible homosexualist," but may be best known for his relationship with Greta Garbo.

An outspoken homosexual, Jean Cocteau was a prolific poet, novelist, critic, essayist, artist, and filmmaker.

Jean Genet's work has left a powerful legacy to post-modernity and remains a provocation to questions of gay identity.

Ernest Hemingway, himself sexually insecure, included negative, even abusive portrayals of gay men in his fiction.