"From the famous sheela-na-gigs, through all the forms of exhibitionists - mermaids, centaurs, misers and priapic figures - extraordinary sculptures considered ""obscene"" by today's standards may be found on churches in Britain, Ireland, France and Spain. This book examines their origins and purposes and sees them not as sacrilegious figures, or magical fertility symbols, nor even as idols of ancient pre-Christian religions, but as serious works that dealt with the sexual customs and salvation of medival folk, and thus gave support to the Church's moral teachings."
By:
James Jerman,
Anthony Weir
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: New edition
Dimensions:
Height: 246mm,
Width: 189mm,
Spine: 12mm
Weight: 430g
ISBN: 9780415151566
ISBN 10: 0415151562
Pages: 168
Publication Date: 05 May 1993
Audience:
General/trade
,
College/higher education
,
Professional & Vocational
,
ELT Advanced
,
Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction, 1. Sheela-na-gig, 2. Ugly as Sin, 3. The Romanesque Background, 4. The Entertainers, 5. Mermaids, Centaurs and Other Hybrid Monsters, 6. La Femme aux Serpents, L'homme aux Serpents and L'avare, 7. Disgust for the Flesh, 8. More Priapic Figures, 9. Rude Gestures and Ruder Postures, 10. More Female Exhibitionists, 11. The Distribution of Sexual Carvings, 12. Exhibitionists and Folklore, Epilogue, Bibliography, Gazetteer, Index.
James Jerman, after retiring from the School of Education at Leicester University, continues to be a part-time tutor in local history in the Department of Adult Education. Anthony Weir is a freelance photographer and artist and travelled widely in Europe to draw illustrations and take photographs for this book.
Reviews for Images of Lust: Sexual Carvings on Medieval Churches
'This is an interesting investigation of a fascinating subject'. - British Book News 'This is a serious book aimed at the general reader. It presents detailed information concerning the distribution of the various subjects...' - Catholic Herald
