Socially constructed norm relating to female body image

concept

The dissection of a young, beautiful woman directed by J. Ch. G. Lucae (1814-1885) in order to determine the ideal female proportions. Chalk drawing by J. H. Hasselhorst, 1864.

Empress and court ladies in traditional formal dress on an outing to Kameido plum tree gardens to the east of Tokyo, to view the plum blossoms and write poems about them. Colour woodcut by Chikashige, 1878.

A woman placing glowing charcoal in a sand-filled box to provide warmth. Colour woodcut by Kunisada, 1852.

A courtly young man grapples with an assailant: his woman companion reacts with shock as she hides her face (Chapter 46, beneath the oak, from the 'Tale of genji'). Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Prince Genji in elegant modern dress in an elegant apartment with the blinds rolled up so he can enjoy the autumnal garden and listen to the cricket's song; a girl attendant pours him sake. Colour woodcut by Kunisada, 1860.

Prince Genji and a girl by a garden pond at night, standing next to a flare burning on a stand. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Courtesan Mori Murasaki of the brothel Kimpei Daikoku in the New Yoshiwara (licensed quarters), slides open a screen and looks at her child attendant. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1870.

An anatomist meditates on the corpse of a beautiful young woman, laid out on a table next to his desk. Lithograph by F. Hanfstaengl after G. C. von Max, 1869.

A bride emerging from a sedan chair assisted by two women, set in a palatial residence. Colour woodcut by Kuniyoshi, 1847/1850.

A beautiful young woman being examined by a bald fat doctor. Chromolithograph.

A woman as Ohara-me, of the Ohara village outside Kyoto, who carries a load of cut flowers on her head, attracting a butterfly. Colour woodcut by Yamamoto Shōun, 1906.

An elderly anatomist contemplates the heart that he has excised from the corpse of a beautiful, young woman. Photogravure by R. Schuster, 1907, after a painting by E. Simonet, 1890.

Ugly : giving us back our beauty standards / Anita Bhagwandas.

Title page to a set of twelve beauties linked to the twelve months. Colour woodcut by Toshihide, ca. 1900.

Prince Genji in modern dress, seated beside an ornate lantern. Colour woodcut by Kunisada, 1858.

A woman trying on a new pair of sandals and an inset view of Edo. Colour woodcut by Kunisada, 1857.

Two women at a shrine; a kite is resting on a box and bundle on the right; part of a ceremonial gate is visible on the left and a stone lantern is seen beyond. Colour woodcut, ca. 1800.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

We're experiencing some technical problems in the library today. 

If you’re visiting us, you won’t be able to print or use our PCs or laptops. If you want to sign-up for a free library membership, we’ll give you a temporary card for today and complete your membership next time you visit.

You can access items from the collection as usual and our team is on hand to help. Thank you for your patience while we resolve these issues. 

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

Feminine beauty (Aesthetics)

Images from the collections

Images referencing Feminine beauty (Aesthetics)

Works from the collections

Ugly : giving us back our beauty standards / Anita Bhagwandas.

Title page to a set of twelve beauties linked to the twelve months. Colour woodcut by Toshihide, ca. 1900.

Prince Genji in modern dress, seated beside an ornate lantern. Colour woodcut by Kunisada, 1858.

A woman trying on a new pair of sandals and an inset view of Edo. Colour woodcut by Kunisada, 1857.

Two women at a shrine; a kite is resting on a box and bundle on the right; part of a ceremonial gate is visible on the left and a stone lantern is seen beyond. Colour woodcut, ca. 1800.

Feminine beauty (Aesthetics)

Images from the collections

Images referencing Feminine beauty (Aesthetics)

Works from the collections

Ugly : giving us back our beauty standards / Anita Bhagwandas.

Title page to a set of twelve beauties linked to the twelve months. Colour woodcut by Toshihide, ca. 1900.

Prince Genji in modern dress, seated beside an ornate lantern. Colour woodcut by Kunisada, 1858.

A woman trying on a new pair of sandals and an inset view of Edo. Colour woodcut by Kunisada, 1857.

Two women at a shrine; a kite is resting on a box and bundle on the right; part of a ceremonial gate is visible on the left and a stone lantern is seen beyond. Colour woodcut, ca. 1800.

Related topics