During the Middle Ages in Europe; some sexual and gendered behaviors were labeled ldquo;sodomiticalrdquo; or evoked the use of ambiguous phrases such as the ldquo;unmentionable vicerdquo; or the ldquo;sin against nature.rdquo; How; though; did these categories enter the field of vision? How do you know a sodomite when you see one? In Seeing Sodomy in the Middle Ages; Robert Mills explores the relationship between sodomy and motifs of vision and visibility in medieval culture; on the one hand; and those categories we today call gender and sexuality; on the other. Challenging the view that ideas about sexual and gender dissidence were too confused to congeal into a coherent form in the Middle Ages; Mills demonstrates that sodomy had a rich; multimedia presence in the periodmdash;and that a flexible approach to questions of terminology sheds new light on the many forms this presence took. Among the topics that Mills covers are depictions of the practices of sodomites in illuminated Bibles; motifs of gender transformation and sex change as envisioned by medieval artists and commentators on Ovid; sexual relations in religious houses and other enclosed spaces; and the applicability of modern categories such as ldquo;transgender;rdquo; ldquo;butchrdquo; and ldquo;femme;rdquo; or ldquo;sexual orientationrdquo; to medieval culture. Taking in a multitude of images; texts; and methodologies; this book will be of interest to all scholars; regardless of discipline; who engage with gender and sexuality in their work.
#314386 in eBooks 2015-01-29 2015-01-29File Name: B00SXTMUZ8
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. This book is awesome! It explores areas of figure drawing that essential ...By Blaine CounterThis book is awesome! It explores areas of figure drawing that essential in creating dynamic; interesting forms. Perhaps a book more for beginners to moderately experienced artist. The author has an easy style of writing and explaining his techniques; though some of his ideas are a bit high concept (which I find to be a good thing). My drawing has jumped up a few extra levels since Ive started reading; Im a little more than halfway through at the moment. The book has been so good thus far that I went ahead and ordered his book on animal drawing.Overall; a great book with much wisdom and technique. Easy to read; challenging to master. Essential for any artist looking for guidance on how to draw the human figure effortlessly and with appeal.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy M Dgreat book - lives up to the rating0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Dance of the LineBy Kristen MillerExcellent resource for learning how to love the human form; in spite of any drawing inexperience. Personally; Im uncomfortable with life drawing classes; and this book helps me to appreciate force and form without seeing people in the nude (NOTE: this is not motivated by censorship! Life drawing classes are CRITICAL to the developing artist. Its a personal psychological hangup). It certainly does not replace the need for life drawing; but helps me to glean similar information from more mundane human activities; after studying the book. With poetic rhythm; the author illustrates how to use smooth; confident line to capture the essence of the figure in motion. Yes; I look at the sketches with great jealousy at how easy it all looks; but I still feel this text gives me the tools to become more aware of the physics around me; in order to embrace them and then translate that into my animation.
