This project explores the representation of fatness in the MET API.

The Fat Kitchen by Pieter van der Heyden

Here are some graphs about the distribution of fat artwork in the MET’s digital collection.

Number of Fat Art Woorks in Each Department

The table below shows the most frequent mediums used for each century. Note that the number of artworks in each century varies drastically, from one to 42 artworks.

Observations from Photos

The initial works found in art before the common era (BCE) use fatness as a descriptor for people and animals. Such as the photos found below.

Seated hollow figure with helmet

Gilt bronze ring Greek

The MET has the most fat artwork from the 18th to the 20th century. These works use fatness as a character flaw to describe wealthy elites or nations that are hoarding.

Entry, or Lord Fat Cheeks,Entrée, ou Milord-Gorju

Medium Examples

Below are examples of the different art mediums found in the query.