Zaftig is a Yiddish word meaning ripe or luscious, and is commonly applied to curvaceous women. This book celebrates these women principally through its many reproductions of paintings, and through quotations from those who argue for the attractiveness of zaftig women. The arguments for feminine substance are arranged thematically, and include an attack on the cult of thinness, a defense of zaftig as a natural state, an exploration of eras such as the Victorian age, in which abundance was preferred, and an examination of subcultures in which heavy women rule, as on the opera stage. Some of the painters reproduced are: Rembrandt, Titian, Correggio, Lord Leighton, and Diego Rivera.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fat is sexy; Fat is beautiful; & Thin hasn’t always been in!
A fabulous book–really a complete anthology of fat art through the ages. Very high quality printing and paper as well.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Women, Beautiful Pictures, Beautiful Book!
Considered merely as an art book, ‘Zaftig’ deserves attention. The reproductions are stunning, and the selection is *generous*, with plenty of interesting, even amusing,…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zaftig is enchanting!
I loved this celebration of curvaceous women! After reading St. Paige’s chapter on the Cult of Thinness I felt only relief to be back in the realm of reality.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely, curvy women
This book has prints of paintings, drawings, etchings, sculpture, photographs, and advertisements featuring curvy women, some highlighting their bodies, and others their faces…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just About Perfect!
Beautifully bound, beautiful captions, and of course beautiful art work. It’s hard to make a better purchase than this book, I’m glad I bought it instead of a wieght loss book…
5.0 out of 5 stars
a case for all of us
Simple and tells it like it is- or how it was and how it could be. A work of Art in and of itself, it was a joy to see how the fuller figure can be viewed as something beautiful
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3 out of 5 stars
Fat used to equal status!
In the olden days, food was scarce, so weight implied wealth, health, education, and status…
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful
As an artist, I really appreciated this book. As a woman, I really appreciated this book. Curves are certainly more interesting to paint, draw or sculpt than angles and sharp…
I am so glad you are featuring this book! I’ve had it for a few years and it is one of my favorites. Whenever I feel my self-image wavering, I take it out and look at the pictures. It is the opposite of “thinspiration.”