A Cultural History of Hair in the Age of Enlightenment

The Enlightenment (1650-1800) was a Golden Age of hair, with more men and women donning elaborate wigs and hairdos. Professional hairdressers created a new range of hair-care products and literature, enlarging the market and stimulating consumption. A Cultural History of Hair in the Enlightenment explores how hair in this period expanded beyond the fashionable and superstitious, inspiring empirical research and powering applications such as in the woolen goods industry. The essays in this volume explore hairs many meanings and its importance during the Enlightenment period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Enlightenment (1650-1800) was a remarkable era in history, marked by a profound fascination with hair. During this period, both men and women embraced elaborate wigs and hairstyles, creating a fashion revolution that had never been seen before or since. The demand for professional hairdressers grew exponentially, as people sought to enhance their appearance and maintain their social status. In response, these hairdressers developed a range of innovative hair-care products and a literature of hair-care advice, covering everything from hairstyles to hygiene. This culture of consumption not only expanded the market but also stimulated further growth, leading to the development of new industries and technologies.

A Cultural History of Hair in the Enlightenment provides a comprehensive record of the marketing success of these hairdressers and their hair-care products. It recognizes that the ultimate product of this culture of consumption was the consumer, who became the focus of attention and admiration. Literary and visual arts celebrated the ambitious têtes and coifs of the period, while also lampooning and caricaturing the most fashionable in society. By exploring a wide range of sources, including paintings, prints, plays, poems, novels, treatises, and advice manuals, the contributors to this volume demonstrate how hair in the Enlightenment period expanded beyond the fashionable and the superstitious, and became newly understood as material.

The essays in this volume explore the many meanings and importance of hair during the Enlightenment period. They cover topics such as Religion and Ritualized Belief, Self and Society, Fashion and Adornment, Production and Practice, Health and Hygiene, Gender and Sexuality, Race and Ethnicity, Class and Social Status, and Cultural Representations. Each essay offers a fresh perspective on the role, shedding light on the ways in which hair played a significant role in shaping the cultural, social, and political landscape of the time.

In conclusion, the Enlightenment was a period of immense creativity, innovation, and cultural transformation. The fascination with hair played a central role in this era, as both men and women embraced elaborate wigs and hairstyles, creating a fashion revolution that had a lasting impact on society. The demand for professional hairdressers grew exponentially, leading to the development of new hair-care products and a literature of hair-care advice. This culture of consumption not only expanded the market but also stimulated further growth, leading to the development of new industries and technologies. A Cultural History of Hair in the Enlightenment provides a valuable record of this remarkable period, shedding light on the many meanings and importance of hair in shaping the cultural, social, and political landscape of the time.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 169 x 244 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350285606