A Critical Examination of Disability and Agency through Art

Throughout history and the historical canons of western art, disability and the afflicted human form have often been marginalized and used as manifestations of iniquity, social malfeasance and mental degradation. It is not until the 20th and 21st centuries that changing social attitudes, as well as rapidly transforming scientific and medical advancements have reshaped how disability is framed, shown and discussed. In this article the author delves into the artistic, medical, scientific, and social complexities surrounding this topic to shed light on its multipart, shifting narratives.

Throughout history and the historical canons of western art, disability and the afflicted human form have often been marginalized and used as manifestations of iniquity, social malfeasance and mental degradation. It is not until the 20th and 21st centuries that changing social attitudes, as well as rapidly transforming scientific and medical advancements have reshaped how disability is framed, shown and discussed. In this article the author delves into the artistic, medical, scientific, and social complexities surrounding this topic to shed light on its multipart, shifting narratives.

Prosthetics disability Capua Leg Otto Dix Pieter Breughel The Card Players The Cripples Metropolis Konrad Biesalski Francis Derwent Wood Rosi Braidotti Vivian Sobchak Janine Thewatt-Bates Raoul Hausmann Sophie de Oliveira Barata

Prosthetics disability Capua Leg Otto Dix Pieter Breughel The Card Players The Cripples Metropolis Konrad Biesalski Francis Derwent Wood Rosi Braidotti Vivian Sobchak Janine Thewatt-Bates Raoul Hausmann Sophie de Oliveira Barata