1857 - On the Abuse of Neckline Nudity
De l'abus des nudités de gorge, which translates as "On the Abuse of Neckline Nudity"! Basically, this book is a condemnation of low-cut dresses and showing too much bosom. It is, if nothing else, an amusing and often (unintentionally) hilarious diatribe against then-contemporary fashion in its supposed encouragement of vanity, lust, and spiritual distraction. The good Abbe seems to have been obsessed, obsessed with breasts. While the book definitely seems prudish today, it offers some valuable insights into the social and religious norms of 17th-century France and the anxieties surrounding female sexuality and public appearance. It is interesting to us in its reflection of a specific historical context and its exploration of timeless questions about morality, sexuality, and social control. And from an esoteric standpoint, Boileau's central argument rests on the idea that the female body, particularly the breasts, should be veiled and protected. This notion of the body as a temple or sacred vessel, while put in the service of prudishness and patriarchy in this case, aligns in general with various esoteric traditions that view the body as a microcosm of the universe, containing divine energies and secrets.
1857. BOILEAU (Jacques). De l'abus des nudités de gorge (par l'abbé Boileau). Bruxelles: Fr. Foppens. In 8° [6], 88, [2] pp. Paper binding with plastic cover. Back cover present but mostly detached. Ex libris plate H. Glaye, inside cover. Slight ripping and marking to cover. Rubbing and bumping to edges. Overall in fair to good condition.
De l'abus des nudités de gorge, which translates as "On the Abuse of Neckline Nudity"! Basically, this book is a condemnation of low-cut dresses and showing too much bosom. It is, if nothing else, an amusing and often (unintentionally) hilarious diatribe against then-contemporary fashion in its supposed encouragement of vanity, lust, and spiritual distraction. The good Abbe seems to have been obsessed, obsessed with breasts. While the book definitely seems prudish today, it offers some valuable insights into the social and religious norms of 17th-century France and the anxieties surrounding female sexuality and public appearance. It is interesting to us in its reflection of a specific historical context and its exploration of timeless questions about morality, sexuality, and social control. And from an esoteric standpoint, Boileau's central argument rests on the idea that the female body, particularly the breasts, should be veiled and protected. This notion of the body as a temple or sacred vessel, while put in the service of prudishness and patriarchy in this case, aligns in general with various esoteric traditions that view the body as a microcosm of the universe, containing divine energies and secrets.
1857. BOILEAU (Jacques). De l'abus des nudités de gorge (par l'abbé Boileau). Bruxelles: Fr. Foppens. In 8° [6], 88, [2] pp. Paper binding with plastic cover. Back cover present but mostly detached. Ex libris plate H. Glaye, inside cover. Slight ripping and marking to cover. Rubbing and bumping to edges. Overall in fair to good condition.
De l'abus des nudités de gorge, which translates as "On the Abuse of Neckline Nudity"! Basically, this book is a condemnation of low-cut dresses and showing too much bosom. It is, if nothing else, an amusing and often (unintentionally) hilarious diatribe against then-contemporary fashion in its supposed encouragement of vanity, lust, and spiritual distraction. The good Abbe seems to have been obsessed, obsessed with breasts. While the book definitely seems prudish today, it offers some valuable insights into the social and religious norms of 17th-century France and the anxieties surrounding female sexuality and public appearance. It is interesting to us in its reflection of a specific historical context and its exploration of timeless questions about morality, sexuality, and social control. And from an esoteric standpoint, Boileau's central argument rests on the idea that the female body, particularly the breasts, should be veiled and protected. This notion of the body as a temple or sacred vessel, while put in the service of prudishness and patriarchy in this case, aligns in general with various esoteric traditions that view the body as a microcosm of the universe, containing divine energies and secrets.
1857. BOILEAU (Jacques). De l'abus des nudités de gorge (par l'abbé Boileau). Bruxelles: Fr. Foppens. In 8° [6], 88, [2] pp. Paper binding with plastic cover. Back cover present but mostly detached. Ex libris plate H. Glaye, inside cover. Slight ripping and marking to cover. Rubbing and bumping to edges. Overall in fair to good condition.