Portraits of Human Monsters in the Renaissance
Dwarves, Hirsutes, and Castrati as Idealized Anatomical Anomalies
Published on 10. July 2025
220 pages
978-1-58044-276-3 (ISBN)
Description
At the center of this interdisciplinary study are court monsters - dwarves, hirsutes, and misshapen individuals - who, by their very presence, altered Renaissance ethics vis-à-vis anatomical difference, social virtues, and scientific knowledge. These monsters evolved from objects of curiosity, to scientific cases, to legally independent beings. Although many images of and writings about these individuals depict them as jokes of nature or indices of courtly wit, others transcend these categories, combining a vocabulary of courtly self-fashioning with close observations akin to dissections that humanize monsters, while simultaneously stressing their anatomical difference. More importantly, the works examined in this book point to the intricate cultural, religious, ethical, and scientific perceptions of monstrous individuals who were fixtures in contemporary courts. From entertainers to advisors, and from faithful companions to collectible objects, monsters at court held liminal positions used by rulers to create and shape their own personae.
More details
Series
Edition
Digital original
Language
English
Place of publication
Michegan
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student
Edition type
Digital original
Illustrations
43 Abbildungen
43 Illustrations, black and white
File size
40,02 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-58044-276-3 (9781580442763)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Touba Ghadessi
Portraits of Human Monsters in the Renaissance
Dwarves, Hirsutes, and Castrati as Idealized Anatomical Anomalies
Book
03/2018
Medieval Institute Publications
€91.00
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Touba Ghadessi is Associate Professor of Art History at Wheaton College.
Content
Introduction
Difference as an Inquiry
Renaissance Portrait and Intellectual Frame
Perfected Miniatures: Dwarves at Court
A Civilized Savage: The Hirsute's Conquest
Audible Absence: The Castrato's Voice
Epilogue
Bibliography
Difference as an Inquiry
Renaissance Portrait and Intellectual Frame
Perfected Miniatures: Dwarves at Court
A Civilized Savage: The Hirsute's Conquest
Audible Absence: The Castrato's Voice
Epilogue
Bibliography
