Kitchens of São Paulo: hygienism in the domestic space (1893-1941)

Abstract

The aim of this research is to study the modernization of domestic kitchen in the city of São Paulo between 1893 and1941, observing whether the medical offices, laboratories and hospitals would have been thematrix of changes that occurred in the kitchen with electrification, asepsis and functionality. Inthis way, we intend to investigate whether, through the kitchen, the main object of analysis,hygiene is inserted in the domestic environment. The research tries to observe this questionin behaviours, practices, material artifacts, architecture and rationalized organization ofmedical and laboratory spaces, which were incorporated into the kitchen. The methodologyconsists of a comparative analysis of sources based on material culture studies and genderstudies. The documentary series embrace theses and medical articles; advertisements formedical and household furniture and utensils; plants and images of domestic and hospitalkitchens, laboratories and medical offices; reports and legislation on the cuisine; manuals andprecepts about domestic work.