Gallery was founded in 1968 by Robert McElroy with a commitment to "fine art photography" depicting nudity and sexuality. As a purveyor of erotica, Gallery's editorial stance on privacy and anonymity played a critical role in its success, particularly during a time when adult modeling carried social stigma. In addition to publishing explicit images, Gallery also published editorial articles about sexuality, which were written by well-known authors such as Susan Sontag and John Updike.
The magazine's policy towards privacy and anonymity varied from year to year and issue to issue, but generally fell into three categories: 1) models would sometimes be credited with their real names; 2) they might be credited with pseudonyms; or 3) they would remain anonymous. Sometimes, Gallery editors would take great care to conceal identities. For example, in an article titled "A Matter of Privacy" in the May/June 1980 issue, gallery editors wrote that they had taken extensive measures to protect a woman's identity after she agreed to pose for a cover photo while pregnant. The same issue featured another photographer who specialized in fetish portraits and insisted upon using only female models with aliases. These decisions reflected a general commitment to respecting the wishes of contributors, even if it meant altering the facts slightly.
In some cases, Gallery actively sought out subjects who wished to maintain their privacy. For instance, in 1977, the magazine ran a feature on a young man named Bob, who posed nude for several pictures and was identified only by his first name. In the story, the author noted that many people are uncomfortable being seen naked and suggested that anonymity may help alleviate this discomfort. It is unclear whether these measures fostered trust among models, but they certainly demonstrated sensitivity to their desires.
While Gallery editors took pains to protect models' identities, they also felt strongly about preserving the quality of its photography and writing. They often chose not to identify models whose faces were difficult to see or obscured by hair or body parts. Such decisions were made to ensure that readers could appreciate the artistry of the images rather than focusing on identifying features. This approach helped create an ethical relationship between Gallery and its contributors, who were willing to share intimate moments with strangers for a modest fee.
The practice of maintaining privacy and anonymity has since been adopted by other magazines, including Playboy and Penthouse. However, Gallery's early stance on the topic remains unique. The decision to publish explicit content while protecting the identities of those involved shows how important privacy can be in the world of sexuality and eroticism. Gallery's editorial stance on privacy and anonymity reflects a commitment to respecting models' wishes and ensuring high-quality work.