Images of Lust : Sexual Carvings on Medieval Churches [Paperback]

James Jerman (Author), Anthony Weir (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415151562 | ISBN-13: 978-0415151566 | Publication Date: January 2000 | Edition: New edition

Sexually explicit sculptures may be found on a number of medieval churches in France and Spain. This fascinating study examines the origins and purposes of these sculptures, viewing them not as 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 medieval folk, and thus gave support to the Church's moral teachings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'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

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415151562
• ISBN-13: 978-0415151566
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #607,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insighteful book and a must-have if you're a history buff, February 9, 2008

By 

Karen K. Little "Littleviews" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Images of Lust : Sexual Carvings on Medieval Churches (Paperback)

Having seen numerous medieval churches in France, it struck me that their purposes were not the same as those used by today's churches. Many (most? all?) were built like defensive forts and their halls seem too big to house Sunday meetings of the surrounding population.

Without going into what I've been discovering (for simplicity's sake, you can Google "medieval church" for references), this picture book definitely does add to understanding, or else, leads to more questions (which, when you are interested in history, are fun).

The title is like, way brilliant. It is far more titillating than the book, for sure. What you'll be seeing are pictures of ancient church facades that feature exaggerated male and female gentalia.

The historians involved in this research have not been able to draw conclusions about the imagery. Were they warnings, enticements, or good luck/fertility symbols? Obviously, people regarded their bodies differently in the distant past, especially when you consider that nudity was often the norm when environmental protection wasn't needed. Note that soldiers often went into battle pant-less and erect penises are used as symbols for guideposts and warnings throughout Europe and Mediterranean countries, if not beyond.

Anyway, buy the book and try not to be embarrassed when visitors see it on your coffee table . . . better yet, flop it on your office desk and see if anyone nails you for what is, essentially, our historical past.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars images of lust, October 11, 2005

By 

elisabeth (nyc usa) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Images of Lust : Sexual Carvings on Medieval Churches (Paperback)

for real lovers of medieval carvings this is a must. divided into useful sections this is a fairly comprehensive account of the history, and possible reasons for these carvings, an i certainly learnt new information, although a student of these early carvings. if you love and know something about medieval carvings this book will round out your knowledge.