The Science of Beauty: Culture and Cosmetics in Modern Germany, 1750–1930 (Worlds of Consumption)

What did the cosmetic practices of middle-class women in the nineteenth century have in common with the repair of men's bodies mutilated in war? What did the New Woman of the Weimar years have to do with the field of social medicine that emerged in the same period? They were all part of a conversation about the cosmetic modification of bodies, a debate shaped by scientific knowledge and normative social models. Conceived as a cultural history, this book examines the history of artificially created beauty in Germany from the late Enlightenment to the early days of National Socialist rule. "What is the connection between middle-class women of the 19th century with the maimed soldiers of the First World War? What do the Weimar Republic's "New Woman" and the subjects of public health campaigns have in common? As Annelie Ramsbrock reveals in this fascinating history, they were all part of an ongoing historical debate in Germany over cosmetics and cosmetic surgery. Covering a wide historical scope from the Enlightenment to the emergence of National Socialism, this book shows that basic ideals of beauty have always been closely related to a society's conception of itself, from organ transplants to the manufacture of cosmetics to scientific research. At the same time, body modification has also presented new ways to subvert or radically reimagine the social order"-- Provided by publisher Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-14 From Wisdom to Knowledge: Bodies and Artificial Beauty in the Eighteenth Century....Pages 15-36 Regulated Bodies: Cosmetics and Hygiene in the Nineteenth Century....Pages 37-64 Renovated Bodies: Medical Cosmetics from the Fin de Siècle to the Weimar Republic....Pages 65-108 Simulated Bodies: Cosmetics and Consumption in the Interwar Period....Pages 109-155 Knowledge and Political Conscience: Social Cosmetics during the Great Depression....Pages 157-180 Conclusion....Pages 181-191 Back Matter....Pages 193-277 Covering A Wide Swath Of German History From The Enlightenment To National Socialism, This Book Shows That Ideals Of Beauty Have Always Been Closely Related To A Society's Conception Of Itself, From Organ Transplants To The Manufacture Of Cosmetics. At The Same Time, Body Modification Has Also Presented New Ways To Subvert The Social Order.