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Medieval Bodies
Medieval Bodies: Life, Death and Art in the Middle Ages | Jack Hartnell
9 posts | 8 read | 1 reading | 5 to read
Dripping with blood and gold, fetishized and tortured, gateway to earthly delights and point of contact with the divine, forcibly divided and powerful even beyond death, there was no territory more contested than the body in the medieval world. In Medieval Bodies, art historian Jack Hartnell uncovers the complex and fascinating ways in which the people of the Middle Ages thought about, explored and experienced their physical selves. In paintings and reliquaries that celebrated the - sometimes bizarre - martyrdoms of saints, the sacred dimension of the physical left its mark on their environment. In literature and politics, hearts and heads became powerful metaphors that shaped governance and society in ways that are still visible today. And doctors and natural philosophers were at the centre of a collision between centuries of sophisticated medical knowledge, and an ignorance of physiology as profound as its results were gruesome. Like a medieval pageant, this striking and unusual history brings together medicine, art, poetry, music, politics, cultural and social history and philosophy to reveal what life was really like for the men and women who lived and died in the Middle Ages. Medieval Bodies is published in association with Wellcome Collection.
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RosePressedPages
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Pickpick

Hartnell discusses perceptions and beliefs of various parts of the body during the Medieval period. He includes both Christian, Jewish, and Muslim beliefs rather than only focusing on Western Christendom, which I appreciated. It was both entertaining and informative!

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catiewithac
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@JamieArc thank you for the perfect birthday gifts! I made a banana cake with peanut butter frosting last week that was very good, but I can‘t wait to try these gourmet spice medleys!!! And this book! It‘s so beautiful! I love these chocolate mints, too! (P.S. Abby devoured the MI sour cherries!!!) Thank you so much for your kindness and friendship!! #LitsyLove

Soubhiville What a great book cover! I‘ll have to look for this. Happy Birthday! 2y
Sapphire Penzeys is awesome and their cinnamon the best. 2y
JamieArc You‘re welcome ☺️ I hope you had a great birthday! 2y
56 likes3 comments
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Moray_Reads
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Pickpick

An interesting look at bodies in the medieval period. Hartnell proceeds head to foot, considering religion, philosophy, medicine and art. A lot of the material was familiar since I have a particular interest but I still enjoyed revisiting it. The book itself is beautifully produced, with crisp, clear colour illustrations that you don't often get in paperbacks. This is number 1 for my January #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 3y
36 likes1 comment
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Moray_Reads
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This chapter deals with bones, including what happened to them after death. On the left is the incredible 15th century tomb of Alice Chaucer (granddaughter of Geoffrey), juxtaposing her idealised image above with a more realistic representation of her body below. Alice was a duchess by the time of her death and even received the Order of the Garter

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Moray_Reads
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That cover, though 😍
(Shame about the sticker 🙄)

erzascarletbookgasm That‘s a great cover! 3y
LeahBergen Ooo! 😍 3y
32 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Minimalgrl
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Audiobook while doing all the adulting today 🧺🧹🛒🧽🚰

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SkullyAnne
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Mehso-so

It's a stunner of a book, visually speaking, and for once actually discusses the Islamic world. But the prose didn't grab me, so more for enthusiasts.

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Emilyrjones22
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Pickpick

LOOK how beautiful this book is. Full of gorgeous morbidity and fun things to learn 🤗

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Emilymdxn
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Part two of my art history book haul to make myself feel better on a v. difficult day. Currently locked out of my office so taking advantage of the chance to sit on a bench in the quad and try to relax for ten minutes #bookhaul #art #arthistory

MayJasper Hi I too am from 🇬🇧 6y
Emilymdxn Hey there @MayJasper just followed you! 6y
MayJasper I hope your day improves 6y
brendanmleonard This looks amazing! 6y
19 likes4 comments