Court cultures, body cultures

Throughout Western Europe, from the Middle Ages up to the modern period, court societies developed and put a new emphasis on the body, ensuring its promotion on the political and social scene. The strategies for its maintenance, grooming and appearance were given a very special place in this highly hierarchical world.

Drawing on very varied sources (literature, iconography and accounting documents) and striving to describe not only the norms and representations of this culture of the body, but also the practices and techniques that they led to ' know-how, gestures, accessories, specific arrangements, etc... the contributions assembled in this volume offer original and detailed insight into Europe's court societies.

They cover the uses of perfumes and cosmetics, as well as wigs, health diets, therapeutic and cleansing baths, dental hygiene and even toilets. Going beyond the usual anecdotes and persistent clichés, they demonstrate that the questions of health, hygiene and beauty were central preoccupations of the individuals who made up the courts.

316 pages
Authors: Mathieu Da Vinha, Catherine Lanoë et Bruno Laurioux
Publisher: PUPS
Language: French
Published in May 2011
ISBN: 9782840507635
Dimensions: 16 x 24

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