The Book of Hours and the Body: Somaesthetics, Posthumanism, and the Uncanny

This book explores our corporeal connections to the past by examining three theoretical approaches: somaesthetics, posthumanism, and the uncanny, through the analysis of fifteenth-century Northern European Books of Hours. It offers a window into relationships among bodies, images, and things in the past and our own internet era, contributing to an intersectional social history of art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the profound connections between our physical selves and the past, shedding light on the rich tapestry of premodern and postmodern embodiments through the lens of three theoretical approaches: somaesthetics, posthumanism, and the uncanny. It begins its exploration by examining a selection of fifteenth-century northern European Books of Hours, exquisite objects that served multiple purposes, including inscribing social status, fostering religious devotion, providing entertainment, evoking emotions, and encouraging introspection. By delving into the kaleidoscopically strange, moving, humorous, disturbing, and imaginative pages of these manuscripts, the book offers a unique window into the intricate relationships between bodies, images, and objects in the past, as well as in our contemporary digital age, where popular memes drawn from these manuscripts have become an integral part of our visual culture.

Through its interdisciplinary approach, this book aims to contribute to the emerging field of intersectional social history of art. It appeals to scholars across a wide range of disciplines, including art history, medieval studies, Renaissance/early modern studies, gender studies, the history of the book, posthumanism, aesthetics, and the body. By intertwining theoretical, post-theoretical, and historical perspectives, it provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the multifaceted ways in which art has shaped and been shaped by society over centuries.

The book's exploration of somaesthetics, posthumanism, and the uncanny offers valuable insights into the ways in which our bodies, minds, and experiences are intertwined with the historical and cultural contexts in which we live. It challenges traditional notions of embodiment and highlights the complex and multifaceted ways in which our physical selves are shaped by social, cultural, and technological forces. By examining the Books of Hours as a case study, the book demonstrates how art can serve as a powerful tool for exploring and understanding the past, as well as for shaping our understanding of the present and the future.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of art history and interdisciplinary studies. It offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the connections between our corporeal selves and the past, and provides valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted ways in which art has shaped and been shaped by society over centuries. By exploring the theoretical, post-theoretical, and historical concerns at the heart of this book, scholars will gain a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of premodern and postmodern embodiments and their enduring impact on our collective consciousness.

Weight: 660g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367504526