From Sheapast Art and Books, Sherman Oaks, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
AbeBooks Seller since February 26, 2021
About this Item
Skulls of Beasts. An ANTIQUE engraving A sheet with 21 animal skulls from Johann Caspar Lavater's "Essays on Physiognomy, Designed to Promote the Knowledge and the Love of Mankind", c1790's. approx 13 1/8 x 10 1/2 ins. Johann Caspar Lavater was a swiss theologian and philosopher known throughout Europe for his studies on physiognomy. Following the physiognomy tradition of Della Porta and of many Renaissance and Baroque philosophers, he believed that the character of a person could be elucidated through examining their lines of countenance" i.e. tracing a profile outline portrait. Being able to "read outside" was the key to "know the inside". Lavater's thought largely influenced Art in the late 18th and early 19th century, as in the case of Johann Fuseli and William Blake (who realized two etchings for Lavater's English edition of his Essay). Lavater was convinced that he could show his theories by analyzing the portraits of some of the main historical figures of the past, in some cases taken from paintings or (mainly for antiquity) sculptures. Some of the engravings in his volume, made by great masters of the time, are still considered today as graphic masterpieces. "SOME EDGE WEAR TEAR AND FOXING SPOTS" SEE OTHER LAVATER ENGRAVINGS TOO. Seller Inventory # ABE-1706279212723
Bibliographic Details
Title: Skulls of Beasts
Binding: No Binding
Condition: Good
Store Description
Books are listed and described to the best of my ability
Books are wrapped in paper and usually shipped in cardboard
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