Historical views of the body
How have thoughts around the 'ideal body' changed throughout history? These nine images give a taste of the different ways that the human body has been viewed over time.
Image research by Laura Pastorelli, captions by Chrissie Giles, adapted from Wellcome Images" target="_blank">Wellcome Images.
Figure with flayed skin
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IMAGE 1 of 9
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Figure with flayed skin. Copied from an illustration by Vesalius (1638).
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Male nude
IMAGE 2 of 9
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Engravings of anatomical designs: nudes. From ‘Tables of the skeleton and muscles of the human body’ by Bernhardus Siegfried Albinus, published 1749.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Female nude
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IMAGE 3 of 9
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Engravings of anatomical designs: nudes. From ‘Tables of the skeleton and muscles of the human body’, by Bernhardus Siegfried Albinus, published 1749.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Proportions of the female body
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IMAGE 4 of 9
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Proportions of the female body: front and back view of a female nude, with proportions marked. Lithograph by Martelli after C Squanquerillo, c.1840.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Victorian strongman in his 20s
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IMAGE 5 of 9
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Eugen Sandow: Life of the Author as told in Photographs. Statuesque pose, from photo at about 26, with all muscles relaxed. Eugen Sandow (1867-1925) was a Victorian strongman and bodybuilder. Delicate as a boy, he became enthused with the fervour for physical development, after seeing the statues and pictures of ancient and classical heroes in the art galleries of Europe, and lived afterwards with one ambition only, to become as well-developed and strong as they were. From ‘Life Is Movement; the Physical Reconstruction and Regeneration of the People (A Diseaseless World)’.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Victorian strongman in his 50s
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IMAGE 6 of 9
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Power in Repose. Photo of Eugen Sandow, showing excellence of physique at 52. Eugen Sandow (1867-1925) was a Victorian strongman and bodybuilder. Delicate as a boy, he became enthused with the fervour for physical development, after seeing the statues and pictures of ancient and classical heroes in the art galleries of Europe, and lived afterwards with one ambition only, to become as well-developed and strong as they were. From ‘Life Is Movement; the Physical Reconstruction and Regeneration of the People (A Diseaseless World)’.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Female acrobat in 1906
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IMAGE 7 of 9
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Two views of a female acrobat named La Senorita Barcaronow. She wears a short embroidered and spangled costume, a feathered headdress and satin shoes tied round her ankles with ribbons. Her poses and body development demonstrate the art of physical culture. From ‘La culture physique’, published 1906.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Tom-Ton
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IMAGE 8 of 9
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Postcard with a picture of ‘Tom-Ton, fat boy’. The card claims he weighed 645lbs at the age of 21. This image is thought to date from the 1920s or 30s.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Health in the 1920s
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IMAGE 9 of 9
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New York health and beauty expert Marguerite Agniel in a Buddha position with her legs crossed. Photograph by J de Mirjian, around 1929.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London.