Visual Metamorphosis: Representations of Intersexuality between Ars Erotica and Scientia Sexualis

• Grant number: 25/05774-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Arts - Photography
• Principal Investigator: Maria Cristina Correia Leandro Pereira
• Grantee: Matheus Silva Dallaqua
• Supervisor: Sylvie Steinberg
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: École Des Hautes Études En Sciences Sociales, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/09382-8 - Visual metamorphoses: Photographic representations of intersexuality between ars erotica and scientia sexualis, BP.DR

Abstract

The Western interest in intersexuality, as with other historical phenomena, possesses the fortunate characteristic of continually renewing itself, leaving behind a variety of sources encompassing a wide range of typologies and temporalities. From the myth described by Ovid in the first century to contemporary times, representations of bodies with ambiguous genitalia have been and continue to be widely produced and reproduced across different media, contexts, and discourses, both visual and textual. This research aims to investigate this field of study, focusing particularly on the visual construction of the intersexual body from the 19th to the 21st century through scientific, artistic, ethnographic photographs, and metaimages. Scheduled for a 12-month period, from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026, this Research Internship Abroad (BEPE) will be hosted at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales under the supervision of Professor Sylvie Steinberg. The proposed activities include archival and library research at institutions such as the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, the Musée du Quai Branly, the Centre Pompidou and the Musée du Louvre, as well as other prominent French collections. The internship also involves specialized supervision from an internationally recognized scholar in Gender studies; Women studies; and Modern history. Furthermore, the participation in academic conferences, seminars, and museum-related activities will provide valuable opportunities to engage with the global academic community and facilitate an interdisciplinary dialogue with contemporary researches in the field. (AU)