Two rounded portions of the anatomy, traditionally located on the posterior of various organisms

concept

Fisting and dildos : arse facts 3, damage control / GMFA.

A man's bottom with an aneurism on the buttock and scrotum. Coloured stipple etching by J. Grant after J. Bell, ca. 1815.

A sleeping pedlar's posterior is examined by monkeys, who play with his goods. Line engraving after P. van Harlingen after P. Bruegel, c. 1610.

A back view of the muscles of the thigh, intact but slightly separated from each other. Engraving after G. de Lairesse, 1739.

A Frenchman receiving an enema from a Hungarian apothecary by order of a Dutch doctor. Etching, 1742.

A standing woman, full-length side view, with enlargement of the buttocks (steatopygia). Photograph.

A Khoikhoi woman standing in the field. Photograph, ca.1900.

Muscles of the thigh, seen from the front. Engraving after G. de Lairesse, 1739.

Anal mucus : arse facts 4, top's tip / GMFA.

A "Hottentot" woman with prominent buttocks. Watercolour painting.

Douching : arse facts 2, filling you in / GMFA.

A deep dissection of the muscles of the thigh, seen from the back. Engraving after G. de Lairesse, 1739.

Post-butt : the power of the image / Melani De Luca.

Reading from behind : a cultural analysis of the anus / Jonathan A. Allan.

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

Buttocks

Images from the collections

Images referencing Buttocks

Works from the collections

A "Hottentot" woman with prominent buttocks. Watercolour painting.

A sleeping pedlar's posterior is examined by monkeys, who play with his goods. Line engraving after P. van Harlingen after P. Bruegel, c. 1610.

A back view of the muscles of the thigh, intact but slightly separated from each other. Engraving after G. de Lairesse, 1739.

Post-butt : the power of the image / Melani De Luca.

Reading from behind : a cultural analysis of the anus / Jonathan A. Allan.

Buttocks

Images from the collections

Images referencing Buttocks

Works from the collections

A "Hottentot" woman with prominent buttocks. Watercolour painting.

A sleeping pedlar's posterior is examined by monkeys, who play with his goods. Line engraving after P. van Harlingen after P. Bruegel, c. 1610.

A back view of the muscles of the thigh, intact but slightly separated from each other. Engraving after G. de Lairesse, 1739.

Post-butt : the power of the image / Melani De Luca.

Reading from behind : a cultural analysis of the anus / Jonathan A. Allan.

Related topics