History of the concept of shame and honor

Author: (French) Bronne/Li Yumin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: To reveal or not to reveal, that is the question. The French society's definition of morality is as fluctuating as the clothing of French women—sometimes long, sometimes short. The Renaissance and the 19th century both allowed nudity in art, yet in daily life, society appeared morally upright and extremely conservative. In contrast, during the Middle Ages and the 19th century, figures in paintings were clothed, but people showed a stronger interest in real-life nudity, to the extent of being shocking. This unique cultural read, under the guise of clothing, turns the French society's secrets upside down. Commoners and nobles take the stage one by one, while the Church and the state vie for dominance. Ticket checks, seating arrangements—the curtain rises on the grand drama.