ARTIST: JACOB MERZ
MEDIUM: Engraving,
DATE: c. 1795
EDITION SIZE: Image size 8 3/4 x 16 1/2" (22.2 x 42 cm) plus margins
DESCRIPTION: This engraving depicts Johann Caspar Lavater (1741–1801), a Swiss theologian, philosopher, poet, and the foremost proponent of physiognomy, the study of character and personality as revealed through facial features. Born in Zurich, Lavater was deeply influenced by his education under J.J. Bodmer and J.J. Breitinger and became a prominent figure in the Zwinglian Church, serving as a pastor in his native city. Known for his fiery oratory and introspective writings, Lavater’s most enduring contribution lies in his Physiognomische Fragmente (1775–1778), a groundbreaking work that sought to decode human character through facial structure and silhouettes. This publication not only popularized physiognomy across Europe but also sparked a cultural fascination with silhouettes, which Lavater described as “full of speech.” Lavater’s work, though widely acclaimed in his time, drew criticism from figures like Goethe for its perceived superstition. His legacy remains entwined with the intersections of art, science, and theology in the Enlightenment era.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition overall, scattered foxing.
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