Scholars have been interested in the study of LGBTQ+ history for decades now. One area that has drawn particular attention is Renaissance and Early Modern visual culture due to its wealth of visual sources such as paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and other forms of artwork.
Much of this material presents challenges when it comes to uncovering hidden queer histories because they do not explicitly depict same-sex relationships or gender nonconformity. Fortunately, methodologies are available to help scholars navigate these difficulties and responsibly uncover the hidden histories. This article will discuss some of these methods and provide examples of their application.
One such methodology is close reading, which involves analyzing texts and images closely to identify subtle clues about sexual orientation and gender identity. This approach can be applied to various types of material, including literature, music, and even architecture.
Shakespeare's plays often contain coded references to homosexuality, such as characters being described as "fair youths" or "dark ladies." Similarly, Renaissance buildings sometimes featured phallic symbols or other erotic motifs that could suggest same-sex desire.
Another methodology is comparative analysis, which compares different works of art from the same period to look for similarities and differences. By examining multiple pieces created at around the same time, scholars can gain a better understanding of cultural attitudes towards gender and sexuality. This technique was used effectively by John Boswell, who argued that certain religious practices were designed to legitimize same-sex relationships in medieval Europe.
A third methodology is contextualization, which looks at the social and historical context in which a work was created. This approach helps scholars understand how society viewed gender and sexuality during that era and why certain representations may have been considered acceptable or taboo. Contextualization can also help scholars identify subversive messages within seemingly innocuous artworks.
Botticelli's Venus and Mars painting has been interpreted as an allegory for male-male love due to its depiction of masculine characteristics on both figures.
Deconstructionist approaches seek to challenge traditional interpretations of Renaissance and Early Modern visual culture by exposing hidden meanings and associations. This method involves analyzing texts and images through feminist, queer, and postcolonial lenses to uncover alternative readings.
Judith Butler has applied this approach to Michelangelo's David sculpture, arguing that it represents a complex relationship between power dynamics and masculinity.
These methodologies allow scholars to responsibly uncover hidden queer histories in Renaissance and Early Modern visual culture. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, but when combined with careful analysis, they can reveal important insights about our past.
What methodologies allow scholars to uncover hidden queer histories in Renaissance and early modern visual culture responsibly?
The methodologies that allow scholars to uncover hidden queer histories in Renaissance and early modern visual culture include archival research, interviews with people who may have been involved in the creation of the artwork, and analyzing the historical context in which the work was created.