Obesity in art: a brief overview

Front Horm Res. 2008:36:271-286. doi: 10.1159/000115370.

Abstract

This brief overview of obesity in art will look at how fatness has been depicted in Western art and its antecedents from classical times to the present day; what, if anything, this can tell us about how prevalent obesity was in previous centuries, and how the meanings attached to being fat may have altered over the years.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • History, 16th Century
  • History, 17th Century
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, Ancient
  • History, Medieval
  • Humans
  • Medicine in the Arts*
  • Obesity / history*
  • Paintings / history*
  • Sculpture / history