Anker Smith, Heads of a Man, Etching, 1810

Description

Heads of a man is an original artwork realized by Anker Smith for Johann Caspar Lavater's "Essays on Physiognomy, Designed … more Heads of a man is an original artwork realized by Anker Smith for Johann Caspar Lavater's "Essays on Physiognomy, Designed to promote the Knowledge and the Love of Mankind", London, Bensley, 1810. This artwork portrays heads of a man. On the back of this artwork there is a text. Good conditions, except for some minor stains. 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. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution less