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Description: This attractive original old antique print / plate originates from: 'Over de Physiognomie.', by J.C. Lavater, Dutch edition 1780-1784, translated from German by Johan W. van Haar and published by Johannes Allart in Amsterdam. The original German edition had appeared also in 4 vols. under the title 'Physiognomische Fragmente zur Beförderung der Menschenkenntnis und Menschenliebe.', Leipzig, 1775-1778. 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: The Swiss theologian and mystic Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741-1801). The plates are engraved or etched by several artists, such as Heidegger from Zürich, Eckardt, Fresinger, I. Hegi and R. Brichet. Many plates in the text are engraved by the artists J.R. Schellenberg and J.H Lips. Johann Rudolph Schellenberg (1740-1806) was a Swiss painter, engraver and illustrator and entomologist. He is considered one of the greatest illustrators of his time and the most important Swiss engraver of the 18th Century. Johann Heinrich Lips (1758-1817) was a Swiss engraver.
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Subject: Title page with title engraving, engraved by Holzhalb after Daniel Chodowiecki. Depicting two cherubs measuring the parts of the human face.
Condition: Fine. General age related toning and occasional light staining from handling as visible on image. This plate was previously cut and reassembled. Paper loss filled up with paper from same work. Writing with pen at bottom.
Size (in cm): The overall size is ca. 13.5 x 21.5 cm. The image size is ca. 6.5 x 9.5 cm.
Size (in inch): The overall size is ca. 5.3 x 8.5 inch. The image size is ca. 2.6 x 3.7 inch.
Medium: Original etching and engraving on verge type hand laid paper. No watermark on this sheet. Lettering with book press printing.
Location: C79-01
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