Description
Book Synopsis: A laugh-out-loud visual history of the strangest piece of men’s clothing ever created: the codpiece.The codpiece was fashioned in the Middle Ages to close a revealing gap between two separate pieces of men’s tights. By the sixteenth century, it had become an upscale must-have accessory. This lighthearted, illustrated examination of its history pulls in writers from Rabelais to Shakespeare and figures from Henry VIII to Alice Cooper. Glover’s witty and entertaining prose reveals how male vanity turned a piece of cloth into a bulging and absurd representation of masculinity itself. The codpiece, painted again and again by masters such as Titian, Holbein, Giorgione, and Bruegel, became a symbol of royalty, debauchery, virility, and religious seriousness—all in one. Centuries of male self-importance and delusion are on display in this highly enjoyably new title. Glover’s book moves from paintings to contemporary culture and back again as it charts the growing popularity of the codpiece and its eventual decline. The first history of its kind, this book is a must-read for art historians, anthropologists, fashion aficionados, and readers looking for a good, long laugh.
Details
Discover the hilarious and extraordinary history of the codpiece with Thrust: A Spasmodic Pictorial History of the Codpiece in Art. This laugh-out-loud visual journey takes you through the ages, from its humble beginnings in the Middle Ages to its status as a must-have accessory for the upscale gentlemen of the sixteenth century. Written with wit and accompanied by delightful illustrations, this book explores how the codpiece evolved into a symbol of masculinity that artists like Titian, Holbein, and Bruegel couldn't resist painting.
From royalty to debauchery, religious seriousness to virility, the codpiece represented it all. Glover's research and entertaining prose pull in renowned writers from Rabelais to Shakespeare, as well as prominent figures like Henry VIII and Alice Cooper, to shed light on centuries of male vanity and delusion.
But Thrust doesn't stop at history. It also connects the dots to contemporary culture, showing you how the codpiece's popularity rose and eventually declined. Whether you're an art historian, anthropologist, fashion aficionado, or simply someone looking for a good laugh, this one-of-a-kind book is a must-read.
Don't miss out on this highly enjoyable journey into the outrageous world of the codpiece. Grab your copy of Thrust: A Spasmodic Pictorial History of the Codpiece in Art today and prepare to be amused, amazed, and thoroughly entertained.
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