662 MUSES: THE ART OF THE ARTIST'S MODEL

Daniel Maidman (2025) - GM1

- Art by Daniel Maidman, in a collection specially commissioned by the Lunar Codex
 

- From the Preface by Samuel Peralta: "I've always believed that working as a figure model is itself an artform. With its calling of expressiveness, body control, responsiveness, and discipline, being an artist's model is an exacting art, much like dance. The collections of the Lunar Codex are filled with figurative art, and thus it was imperative to highlight the contributions of the models to art, by commissioning a compendium that would be a landmark volume. 

     "The first step was to identify, among our roster of artists, one whose work could highlight the contribution of the model in its purest form, with the clarity that impressionist, cubist, or other expressionistic styles might take away from the model's art. And the artist had to be inspired not by one or only a few muses, as many artists are, but by many.
     "Under commission by the Lunar Codex, Daniel Maidman has collected a compendium that, we believe, is a landmark. It is, if not the largest, then certainly one the most expansive volume of figurative drawings to be put together, and definitely the largest single volume in the Codex. Even more than that, the compendium takes as its subject one drawing each of 662 art models, each model the primary subject in one and only one piece in the collection.
     "Drawing from over 25 years of a singular practice, Maidman provides the most expansive look at one of the most under-appreciated of arts: the art of figure modeling. We present to you 662 Muses: The Art of the Artist's Model. To all figure models everywhere, we thank you for your art."

- From the Introduction by Daniel Maidman: "When Samuel Peralta, founder and curator of the Lunar Codex, asked me to compile one artwork of every model I’ve ever worked with, not only was it mind-blowing, but I felt that he got the structure of such a collection exactly right. I felt that he’d recognized a key meaning of my work. He’d recognized the centrality of the model. He’d noticed how I have tried to change the center of gravity of art history, to help the viewer recognize that the model is essential to figurative art, and the art arises not from artist alone, nor from model alone, but from a creative entity which exists only in the act of collaboration between them. 

     "I write the name of the model on all my drawings. I caption them with the name of the model. On social media, I direct the viewer to my model if possible. And now the record of my art will be a record of the models I have had the privilege to work with. Some became muses. Some remain friends. A few are dead. I don’t know what became of many of them, and in some very early cases, I cannot even recall their names. But in the making of each drawing, they shared their lives with me, and I devoted my life to them, and here, there is a picture of that moment in time, that never-to-be-repeated configuration of light and breath and form.

     "This project turned out to be absurdly more ambitious than I would have thought. I started life drawing in a serious way in Los Angeles in 1998. I rapidly settled into a rhythm of attending between one and three open life drawing workshops every week. This way of life continued when I moved to New York in 2006. With the logistical demands of parenthood and a more mature budget, I gradually shifted to hiring models privately at my studio. And then with the 2020 lockdowns, I expanded the role of working remotely with models through reference photography. I draw every day. 

     "In compiling the requested body of work, I first scoured my current computer’s directories, then ransacked old backup drives, and finally dove into the physical archives and pulled and scanned drawings dating back to before I kept records at all. Much to my surprise, I have drawn at least 662 different models. I know I’ve missed some, but this is a very large fraction of the total.

     "My life is not all one thing. But my relationship with models turned out to be one of the main things in my life. I am overjoyed to send an artwork of each of them to the Moon. 

     "Thank you Samuel. I am honored that I was chosen for this assignment. 

     "Thank you models. It has been an honor to spend my life making art with you."

- Featuring figurative models
COVER ART
– Natasha ▪ Leah ▪ Manou ▪ Guadalupe ▪ Scott ▪ Mar ▪ Monica ▪ Nicole ▪ Melayn

DRAWINGS 1995-1999
– Aviva Maidman ▪ Iris ▪ Jordana Williams

DRAWINGS 2001
– umm1 ▪ ufm1 ▪ J.B.  ▪ Eliza ▪ Torin ▪ Brontë Flecker ▪ Thanassis Cambanis ▪ Derek Bevil ▪ Galahad Clark ▪ Jonathan Elkes ▪ ufm2 ▪ Cyril Ntukogu Anedoebe ▪ Clea ▪ umm2 ▪ Mike ▪ Dana Millican ▪ Elana Ehrlich ▪ ufm3 ▪ Mac Rogers ▪ Yisrael Ephal ▪ Linda ▪ Mardi ▪ Amy Tofte ▪ Frank ▪ Alexandra ▪ Karen Hurka ▪ Sarah ▪ Streeter ▪ Rebecca ▪ ufm4 ▪ Barry Morse ▪ ufm5 ▪ ufm6 ▪ ufm7

DRAWINGS 2002
– Lila ▪ Shalamar ▪ David ▪ Scott ▪ Nancy ▪ Allison ▪ Lynn

DRAWINGS 2004
– Yurianna ▪ Mike ▪ Melina

DRAWINGS 2005
– Nicole Strafaci ▪ Clay ▪ David Abercrombie ▪ Toni Sky ▪ Jessica ▪ Yuko ▪ Christine ▪ Sanyo

DRAWINGS 2006
– Gabrielle ▪ Gi ▪ Amy ▪ Susan Smith ▪ ufm8 ▪ Eva ▪ Athena

DRAWINGS 2007
– Beth ▪ Morgan ▪ Jay ▪ Naomi ▪ Maynard Maidman

DRAWINGS 2008
– Tram ▪ Harry ▪ Emma ▪ David ▪ Eric ▪ Luke Gutgsell

DRAWINGS 2009
– Nelaya ▪ Nicole ▪ April

DRAWINGS 2010
– Marcela Navarrete ▪ Maya ▪ Jimmy ▪ Amalie ▪ Ilya

DRAWINGS 2011
– Mariana ▪ Andrew Manart ▪ Cliff ▪ China Miéville ▪ Erik

DRAWINGS 2012
– Julie ▪ Cynthia ▪ Ridge Carpenter ▪ Carter ▪ Maria Barberi ▪ Madison ▪ Gabriel ▪ Ben ▪ Eric ▪ Kira ▪ Claire ▪ Jayson Musson ▪ Jeff ▪ Jonathan ▪ Marisol ▪ Valeria

DRAWINGS 2013
– Ariel ▪ Cathy ▪ Sarah ▪ Ji ▪ Cecily ▪ Robert ▪ Donna ▪ Jim C ▪ Emma ▪ Vanessa ▪ Eric ▪ Alexis Hilliard ▪ Bekah ▪ Marissa ▪ Ryan ▪ Joe ▪ Liliana ▪ Natalie ▪ Gary ▪ Shari ▪ Chris ▪ Leslie ▪ Brandin ▪ Michael ▪ Magic ▪ Chris Harder

DRAWINGS 2014
– Max Ritvo ▪ Kiara

DRAWINGS 2015
– Kaylin Andres ▪ Ricardo Kugelmas ▪ Jamison ▪ Catherine Petrusz ▪ Sake ▪ Jennifer Fabos ▪ Elli Stefanidi ▪ Claudia Hajian ▪ Jesse ▪ Bonnie DeWitt ▪ Burr ▪ Kyle ▪ Theresa Magario ▪ Hilary ▪ Nikoletta Kanakis

DRAWINGS 2016
– Trixie ▪ Mitch ▪ Brandon ▪ Ella ▪ Michael ▪ Kate Brehm ▪ Mitch ▪ Gabriela Handal ▪ Kiki ▪ Rob ▪ Julie ▪ Daniel ▪ Selin ▪ Adele Loux-Turner ▪ Sylvana ▪ Stefan ▪ Rhiannon ▪ Stephanie Anne Landers ▪ Greg ▪ Laura ▪ Tim ▪ David ▪ JamesJillian ▪ Joanna P ▪ Boaz ▪ Alicia ▪ Olga Kuraeva ▪ Genevieve ▪ Ani

DRAWINGS 2017
– Jenne ▪ Mia ▪ Yana ▪ Kristin Bowler ▪ Justin ▪ Pearl ▪ Aubrey ▪ Chris ▪ Philip ▪ Nadine ▪ Melisa ▪ Amanda ▪ Dana ▪ Matt ▪ Holly ▪ Anastasiya Tarasenko ▪ Ruby ▪ Daphne ▪ Rose ▪ David ▪ Reign ▪ Jo Watwood ▪ Philip

DRAWINGS 2018
– Vera ▪ Mazi ▪ Emily ▪ Santiago ▪ Caitlin ▪ Simone Valmonte ▪ Lise ▪ Cody ▪ Rebecca ▪ Teresa ▪ Nina Covington ▪ Beverly ▪ Kyoto Cat ▪ Binazir ▪ Svala ▪ Kelsey Dylan ▪ Liv Sage ▪ Bunny Lee ▪ Kory ▪ Alannah Farrell ▪ Jules X. Grace ▪ Katie ▪ Dea ▪ Scout Opatut ▪ Anna ▪ Charlotte ▪ Michael Grimaldi ▪ Vincent Desiderio ▪ Samantha Ylva ▪ Anoush Anou ▪ Shannon and Felix Hardwick ▪ M Sophia Santiago

DRAWINGS 2019
– Mackenzie Rogers ▪ Gio ▪ Diana ▪ Mariya ▪ Nellie Blue ▪ Aaron David Gleason ▪ Ryan ▪ Anica Archip ▪ Nicola Junge ▪ Jackie ▪ Stevie Macaroni ▪ Alyssa Johnson ▪ Demetrius ▪ Sura ▪ Gehad ▪ Frankie Cavalcanti ▪ Sana ▪ Ali ▪ Lois ▪ Kristen ▪ Laura ▪ Marina ▪ Kim ▪ Pandora Young ▪ Katerina ▪ umm3 ▪ Yolanda Presswood ▪ Kuan Ling Tsai ▪ Dan Hawkins ▪ Joe ▪ Evyenia Karaopoulos ▪ Becky ▪ Jess ▪ Nika Breathing ▪ Chloé Hammett

DRAWINGS 2020
– Vivian Cove ▪ Cecelia ▪ Claire ▪ Sienna ▪ Chelsea ▪ Brianna Chin ▪ Holly Ivoryflame ▪ Anna ▪ Catherine ▪ Patricia ▪ Sven Erikson ▪ Dovile Jankauskaite ▪ Lia Celestine ▪ Kyoto Cat + partner ▪ Tessa Kuragi ▪ T.K. + partner ▪ Gwen ▪ Angharada ▪ Kathleen Rooney ▪ K.R. and Martin Seay ▪ Christine ▪ Monica Lerch ▪ Alina Noir + partner ▪ Nell Pittman + Susannah Pittman ▪ La Lunetta ▪ A.J.  ▪ Laura Tan ▪ Tirill Svaler ▪ ufm9 ▪ Lilith Etch ▪ Noa ▪ Nell Pittman ▪ Minh-Ly ▪ Cat ▪ Mary ▪ Una Björk ▪ Vero ▪ Arnoldus ▪ Sarah ▪ Meg ▪ Kate ▪ Emma Riel ▪ Katarina Keen ▪ Nota Mu ▪ Dymph de Gooijer ▪ Emily

DRAWINGS 2021
– Tania Kryklia ▪ Maggie Mack ▪ Leslie Masson ▪ Savannah Spirit ▪ Tiffany Cole ▪ Ryn Mara ▪ Hillary Coe ▪ Jade ▪ Carolyne Loreé Teston ▪ Monika Bronowska ▪ Keira Grant ▪ Noémie Doragon ▪ Marlow Rae ▪ Elia ▪ Charlotte Alexandrakis ▪ Tatiana Eva-Marie ▪ Simona Baroso ▪ Diana Jean Oliphant ▪ Mabelle ▪ Shari ▪ Anna Paratore ▪ ufm10 ▪ Etherea Divine ▪ Ciara ▪ Aurotique ▪ Sarah ▪ Nea Jane ▪ ufm11 ▪ ufm12 ▪ Eira ▪ Valkyrja ▪ Aubry ▪ Jalila ▪ Shannon ▪ Javier ▪ Pepa de Luna ▪ Alex Shanahan ▪ Magali  ▪ Trisha ▪ Alina Noir ▪ Frankie ▪ K ▪ Sienna Hayes ▪ Debora Barnaba ▪ Angélique ▪ Corail ▪ Tonia ▪ Tat ▪ Absquat Ulate ▪ Sandro Kopp ▪ Abi Joy Samuel ▪ Sofia ▪ Rosa ▪ Nicole Melpómene ▪ Angi Kim ▪ Noa + Maud Gamelon ▪ Andrea Morani ▪ Mia Nymph Flora ▪ Angélique Boissière + Ada Ardente ▪ Julia Elnes ▪ Klaudia ▪ Sam Sharp

DRAWINGS 2022
– Lisa ▪ Scott ▪ Marcella Apollonia ▪ Loutje Hoekstra ▪ Felix ▪ Julia Aviles ▪ Rhodanthe ▪ Yuliya ▪ Brett Barletta ▪ Emily ▪ Alessandro ▪ C ▪ Aurélie Muller ▪ Renske ▪ Jay Ban ▪ Jessi Aaltonen ▪ Lena ▪ Manya Muse ▪ Prana Machine ▪ Elyisan ▪ Tara Tempel ▪ Jane ▪ Salomé Lancolia ▪ Terez ▪ Yotam ▪ Muya ▪ Goodknight Ruby ▪ Nataliya Natta ▪ Manon Deck-Sablon + collaborator ▪ Dottir ▪ Jan Farn Chi  ▪ Caroline
David ▪ Amanda Rose ▪ Elaine A ▪ Jessa Ray ▪ Reh S ▪ Angélique Boissière ▪ Lidia ▪ Llt ▪ Shawnee ▪ Peachy Peaks ▪ Yumemi Arai ▪ Julia Slip ▪ Stella Books ▪ Mar Castañedo ▪ Fatima ▪ Clare ▪ Amanda Achen ▪ Anna Hirata ▪ Stefania Ferrario ▪ Aurora ▪ Thomas ▪ Sorelle Amore ▪ Vilidian Vilkes ▪ Elena ▪ Ruby Spencer ▪ Freyja ▪ Molly Beth

DRAWINGS 2023
– Kay ▪ Ada Ardente ▪ Angela ▪ Alice ▪ Madeleine LaVoie ▪ Katherine Robb ▪ Carla Plasencia ▪ Mara ▪ Anne ▪ Sarah ▪ Jeffrey Lee Hallman ▪ Heather Bond ▪ Yuno ▪ Mario ▪ Caitlin Lang ▪ Camille ▪ Guadalupe Montes ▪ Chanelle ▪ Tata ▪ Amanda Hawkins ▪ EK ▪ Monty Montan ▪ Stephen Tierney ▪ Eva Luna ▪ Jason ▪ Eve ▪ Haley ▪ Merray Gerges ▪ Pedro ▪ Aileen Kent ▪ Bárbara ▪ Emily ▪ Ssantos ▪ Megan ▪ ufm13 ▪ Sara Pinna + Sager Kurusinkal ▪ Natalie Wheeler ▪ The Ljilja ▪ UC ▪ Sarah D.  ▪ Megan ▪ Angharada + her baby ▪ Morgan ▪ Damara Webb ▪ Patricia Watwood ▪ Veronika Ashe ▪ Shadia Elise ▪ fit.little.d + Andrea Morani ▪ Princess Psyche ▪ Kate Ri ▪ Allee ▪ Ursula Sam ▪ Beatriz Magalhães ▪ Rowan Vossepoel + Adam Cole ▪ Poppy ▪ Bella Donna ▪ ufm14 ▪ Lilian D'Mello ▪ Louise Rosealma ▪ Julita ▪ Reka Judit Jaksics ▪ Anne Marie Éluard ▪ Agnieszka ▪ John Boling ▪ Zoe Leozo ▪ Noni ▪ Whitney Black ▪ Anna Bee ▪ Cassandra ▪ Kylie Rae ▪ Torihey ▪ Kelly Hanner ▪ Maud Gamelon ▪ Yasmin ▪ Steph ▪ Giorgos ▪ Luz ▪ Kim ▪ Julia Fox ▪ Edyta ▪ Elizabeth ▪ Ayla ▪ Laureline Mialon ▪ Claire Rowan ▪ K  ▪ Erin O'Hara ▪ Anastasia Mihaylova ▪ Mona ▪ ufm15 ▪ Sally Broadbent ▪ Juno Li ▪ Anastasia Radchenko ▪ Michael Ventra ▪ Alison ▪ Yao Tsy ▪ Zoey Kriegmont

DRAWINGS 2024
– Nicholas Pond ▪ Marija Herceg ▪ Fallon Rae ▪ Stephanie ▪ Sarah B ▪ Meander ▪ Jeff ▪ Neil Fleischer ▪ Hannah ▪ Vanescens ▪ Katlyn Lacoste ▪ Amarutta ▪ Amelia ▪ Luke ▪ Jacob Dillon ▪ Reisha Perlmutter ▪ Emily Metalskin ▪ Olive ▪ Fede ▪ Ying ▪ Katherine  ▪ Solveig ▪ Joanna Leahy ▪ Serena XuNing ▪ Nena Momo ▪ Gracja ▪ Bellone ▪ Freddy Borges ▪ Gretchen M Greer ▪ Anna ▪ Whitney Masters ▪ Saori ▪ Meredith ▪ Safire Hikari ▪ Liza ▪ Rowan Vossepoel ▪ Lise Pauton ▪ Xhareny ▪ Jade ▪ Giuseppe Vitrano ▪ Lombardo ▪ Hannah Morley ▪ Madeline ▪ Anaïs Pomeline ▪ Dorrie Mack ▪ Maureen Lucas-Saoudi ▪ Ina Right ▪ Levamenti + her baby ▪ Karu Syda ▪ Travis ▪ Trinidad Rodriguez ▪ Rahel ▪ Jess Land ▪ Anabella ▪ Ruby M ▪ Olya Shevchuk ▪ Dayna Offenbacher ▪ Eléa + her sister ▪ Bella ▪ Diana Atko ▪ Hazel ▪ Stephanie F.  ▪ Roberta Russo Vizzino ▪ Mora Azvl ▪ Mar ▪ Brooke Cord-Udy ▪ Sov Strocknis ▪ Emerald Tyson-Adams ▪ Tessa Kuragi + her baby ▪ Inès Campan ▪ Andrea ▪ Mekennah Marie ▪ Tiffany ▪ Ellen Maidman-Tanner ▪ Lucy Hawk + Laura Grzyb ▪ Kristina ▪ Olivia Stevens ▪ Elle ▪ Camille ▪ Cassandra Fowler ▪ Hannah Jay ▪ Laura Codosero ▪ Emily ▪ Elena Generi ▪ Phiechen ▪ amusemends ▪ Rahel van der Meer ▪ Irina Kvitkah ▪ Simone Rene ▪ Felicia ▪ Scorp

PAINTINGS 2004-2024
– Melayn Dryden ▪ Piera Bonerba, Emanuele Simonelli, Lorenzo Simonelli ▪ Jonathan Farmer ▪ Sasha King ▪ Alley Scott ▪ Daniel Maidman + Piera Bonerba ▪ Janice Warren ▪ Madelyn ▪ Amy Hixson ▪ Angelique Moselle ▪ Leah Krauss ▪ Nikoletta Kanakis ▪ David ▪ Louisa Ashleigh + Paul ▪ Delaram ▪ Diane Feissel ▪ Cassandra Rosebeetle ▪ Chana ▪ Natalya ▪ Fey Reichman ▪ Helen Vitoria ▪ Madelyn ▪ Jazz-Minh Moore ▪ Katy Sullivan ▪ Kem Turner ▪ Kinga Toth ▪ Kym Ghee ▪ Lauren Levato Coyne ▪ Julia Haw ▪ umm4 ▪ Syrie Moskowitz ▪ Martin Donovan ▪ Manou Koreman ▪ Melissa Carroll ▪ Natasha Ashmun ▪ Leïla Gaudin ▪ Sarah Cuccio-Schoofs ▪ Piera Bonerba ▪ Rachel Garis ▪ Rachel Stout ▪ Rajiv Jain ▪ Lillian Wright ▪ Rory Coyne ▪ Rupa dasGupta ▪ Tammy ▪ Rainbow Geffner ▪ Vadim Kroll
 

- Portions archived in the Nova, Serenity, and Minerva collections. Complete volume archived in the Polaris collection.