Breast

Anja Zimmermann is Professor of Art History at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.

A Lit Hub 'Most Anticipated Books of 2026'"An object of lust, a target of medical scrutiny and intervention, the breast has had political symbolism: the naked breast seen as an allegory of freedom and breast baring as a form of feminist protest. No other body part, Zimmerman argues persuasively, has been so divisive… A perceptive social history."Kirkus Reviews"Anja Zimmerman […] takes us on a deep and detailed dive into her history of the female breast – 'sinful, attractive, sacred, liberating, repulsive, heroic.'"Irish Independent"Boobs are a rich text, so I'm optimistic that art historian Anja Zimmerman's exploration of the social and political construction of The Breast will be a fascinating read, and will arm me with enough interesting tit facts to make me absolutely insufferable at parties."Lit Hub"A rich history of the range of messages women's breasts carry about gender, age, race and the line between natural and artificial. Bodies matter, and breasts tell women who they are and what they can do. This intriguing book reveals how feminist visual artists reimagine and disrupt traditional ways of showing these, the least private of all our body parts."Helen King, Professor Emerita, Classical Studies, The Open University"Relying on close visual analysis and an assured grasp of key voices in visual culture criticism, Zimmermann undertakes a compelling case study of how cultural and political stakes have shaped our understanding of 'the breast'. What is most impressive about her analysis is her focus on how wildly divergent have been the objectives and philosophies that drive the contest over the meaning of 'the breast'. Together with the ease with which she leaps from ancient to contemporary examples, this makes for an illuminating and entertaining ride."Jacqueline Millner, La Trobe University"Finally, a book about the unsettling and even revolutionary potential of the female breast."Mithu M. Sanyal, author of Rape: From Lucretia to #MeToo"No other part of the body is the subject of so much controversy. Art historian Anja Zimmermann explains the changing symbolism of the breast and what a 'progressive politics of the breast' would be."Die Zeit"Not too big, not too small, covered up, but not invisible either – female breasts have always been subject to paradoxical demands. Art historian Anja Zimmermann explains why breasts are still not liberated today."Der Spiegel"Anja Zimmermann uses numerous examples from art, history and ethnology, as well as current advertising campaigns such as the launch of a sports bra that showed different breast shapes, to demonstrate how the perception and evaluation of this part of the body has changed over the centuries and that the 'judgements' are almost always made by men: it would be unthinkable to advertise briefs for men with different penises. The female breast is an 'overdetermined body part,' writes Zimmermann, refreshingly advocating for freeing the breast from its many tasks and simply letting it hang."Missy Magazine

• The Politics of the Breast: An IntroductionChapter One: Tops On! Tops Off!The ambiguity of the in/visible breastThe breast as a political organ: the role of in/visibilityLust, vice, pain: visual narratives of sinful and virtuous visibility'Then' and 'now', as seen in clothingThe corset as a visibility machine'Artificial' and 'natural' visibilities: the enlightened breastThe 'liberated' breast makes itself useful: breastfeedingNew views: the breast as a medical problemModern breasts and new visibilitiesThe breasts of the 'other' woman: the new visibility of the breast as racism'White' breasts - 'Black' breastsChapter Two: From Venus to Pin-Up and BackThe breast between art and pornographyVenusIdeals of modestyModest or immodest? How female bodies became VenusesPaleo pornThe gender politics of the gazeAnother 'other' woman: the 'Hottentot Venus'Nudes, power, pornographyBaring the bosom: feminist provocationsBeauty... and back to Venus againChapter Three: Breasts and Other Illusions of the NaturalFantasies and fictions of lactationPolitics makes nature makes science: breastfeeding propaganda and the class of mammalsThe asexual breastPoison from the breastAnimal breasts - human breastsHalf breastsBreasts and foreignnessMale nipples and male dignityThe ethics of the artificial breastBreastfeeding/chest-feeding and a lawBreasts, balls and other equipmentScarsChapter Four: I Am GodThe breast as an organ of protestAre breasts like swords?Amazons as role models'Anarchic Amazons': the women of 1968 and their breastsBurning bras: feminism as breast liberation?'Beautiful women': the limits of protestHysteria, ecstasy and the dance of the maenads: the naked breast as a sign of the 'other'The two bodies of Angela Merkel: breasts and powerConclusion: Weighty BreastsAcknowledgementsList of FiguresBibliographyNotes