Antique Print-PHYSIOGNOMY-EXPRESSION OF THE EYES-FACE-Pl. 68-Lavater-1835

Description: This plate originates from: 'L'art de connaitre les hommes par la Physonomie par Gaspard Lavater. Nouvelle Edition corrigee et disposee dans un ordre plus methodique, augmentee d'une exposition des recherches ou des opinions de la chambre, de Porta, de Camper, de Gall, sur la physionomie; d'une histoire anatomique et physiologique de la face; precedee d'une notice historique sur l'auteur.' by Moreau de la Sartre, published by Depelafol, Paris, 1835. The first ed. of this work was published in Leipzig, Germany, 1775-1778. Later editions in Dutch and French. Lavater advocated the phenomenon of physiognomy, by which one could judge character from facial characteristics. Lavater claimed for instance that heavy eyebrows grown together meant criminality; while a sloping forehead might show that one was less smart. The work had an very large impact hroughout Europe and as Lavater's ideas spread, people naturally wanted to have more professional and accurate depictions of other people and themselves, making the art of the silhouette portrait very popular.

Artists and Engravers: Author of this edition: Moreau de la Sartre, who was a professor at the Medicine Faculty in Paris, France. Author: The Swiss theologian and mystic Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741-1801). Engraver: engraved under the direction of Vincent.