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Spectrum of desire : love, sex, and gender in the Middle Ages
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Spectrum of desire : love, sex, and gender in the Middle Ages

by Melanie Holcomb, Nancy Thebaut

This volume uses queer theory to examine gender, sexuality, and love in European art from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries. Analysing over forty artworks, it explores themes of gender variance and nonconformist relationships in the Middle Ages.

Accession 31739 ISBN 9781588398055 Publisher Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Spectrum of desire : love, sex, and gender in the Middle Ages spine
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TAGS
Curated Derived
Art Gender History Love Philosophy Psychology Sex The Past
CONNECTIONS
No connections
State
on_shelf
True
position_updated_at
2026-06-04 17:13
orientation
vertical
Details

Physical

binding_type
Hard Back
dimensions
none captured
spine_text
none captured

Metadata

Book form
LOCATION HISTORY
G:W2:1 4 Current vertical
5 days, 19 hours ago
G:W2:2 4 vertical
1 week, 5 days ago
Book Location
Updated 5 days, 19 hours ago
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Last synced 2026-05-21 12:30 (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

Identity

name→ title
Spectrum of desire : love, sex, and gender in the Middle Ages
vernon_id
44003
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31739
vernon_slug
spectrum-of-desire-love-sex-and-gender-in-the-middle-ages-melanie-holcomb-and-nancy-thebaut

Drives Pulse state

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On Shelf
location_name
Zone W2/Level 1/Phrontisterion/MONA
location_reason
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isbn_issn→ isbn (when valid)
9781588398055

Descriptive

production_date
2025
object_type
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object_status
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brief_description
This pioneering volume explores concepts of gender, sexuality, and love as portrayed in sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, and personal items to reveal the hidden sexuality and sensuality of medieval art. Using the critical approach known as queer theory, which offers a way to think more expansively about the past, the book interrogates aspects art and culture of the Middle Ages that are often overlooked, such as nonconformist sexual practices, gender variance, and power plays within human and divine relationships. -- publisher

Subjects & people

authors→ author (initial fill only)
Melanie Holcomb, Nancy Thebaut
tags→ tags
History, World history, Middle Ages, Identity (Psychology), Self, Gender identity, Sex in art, Gender nonconformity, Love in art
subject_people
—
subject_objects
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Cover image

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