The Historical Body

The Historical Body refers to the way societies understand and experience the body throughout different times and cultures. It encompasses how physicality, health, beauty, and bodily practices are perceived and valued in various historical contexts. This concept highlights that our ideas about the body are not universal or fixed; rather, they evolve based on social norms, cultural beliefs, and historical events. By examining the Historical Body, we gain insight into how human experiences of identity, power, and social structure shape— and are shaped by—our physical existence across time.