Portraits of Human Monsters in the Renaissance: Dwarves, Hirsutes, and Castrati as Idealized Anatomical Anomalies

Touba Ghadessi

Ahead of Publication Published by Medieval Institute Publications 2022

Portraits of Human Monsters in the Renaissance

Dwarves, Hirsutes, and Castrati as Idealized Anatomical Anomalies

Touba Ghadessi

In the series Monsters, Prodigies, and Demons: Medieval and Early Modern Constructions of Alterity

Overview

About this book

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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.

Author information

Touba Ghadessi is Associate Professor of Art History at Wheaton College.

Topics

Language: English
Publisher: Medieval Institute Publications
Pages
- Main content: 220
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 43

eBook

Planned Publication: April 20, 2023
ISBN: 9781580442763