Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920-1991) is recognized as one of the greatest visual innovators of the 20th century and is the creator of some of the most iconic, unrestrained, and readily recognizable imagery of contemporary gay culture. Through his work, Tom unapologetically celebrated male beauty, self-love, and style, fighting against archaic discrimination and sexual oppression. As he confronted the stigmas and stereotypes that burdened homosexual desire, his portrayals of empowered sexuality proved liberating on social and aesthetic levels alike.