Visual Culture and Pandemic Disease Since 1750: Capturing Contagion

This book explores the visual representation of epidemics from the late eighteenth century to the 1920s, examining how they shaped public health initiatives, government control, and social narratives. It will be of interest to scholars in art history, visual studies, history of medicine, and medical humanities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the captivating world of epidemic imagery, exploring its global presence, particularly during the late eighteenth century to the 1920s, a period marked by the flourishing of Western industrialism, colonialism, and scientific research. Amidst this transformative era, the world witnessed a series of devastating pandemics, coinciding with the rise of popular visual culture and new media. The images examined in this text span a wide range, from depictions of individuals and places to the unseen realms of pathogens and emotions. The topics covered include the powerful messaging of disease prevention and containment in public health initiatives, the motivations of governments to assert control, the critical scrutiny of authority through graphic satire, and the intimate experiences of illness within the domestic realm. Thought-provoking essays also delve into biomedical conditions, shedding light on the recurrent constructed social narratives of bias, blame, and othering regarding race, gender, and class that are often highlighted in visual representations. This comprehensive volume presents a visual genealogy of pandemic experience that continues to resonate with scholars across art history, visual studies, history of medicine, and medical humanities. Its insights offer valuable perspectives on the complex interplay between health, society, and visual representation, enriching our understanding of the past and shaping our future.

Weight: 660g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032261072