The figure of a man divided in two parts: a skeleton and a well-dressed gentleman. Engraving by V. Green, 1769, after himself.

  • Green, Valentine, 1739-1813.
Date:
10 August 1769
Reference:
26236i
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About this work

Publication/Creation

London (53 Fleet Street) : Robert Sayer, map & printseller, 10 August 1769.

Physical description

1 print : line engraving ; platemark 35.2 x 24.6 cm

Lettering

An abridgement of Mr. Pope's Essay on Man. Illustrated with notes, critical and moral, extracted from other celebrated authors, by V.G. 1769 ... The skeletal side is marked 'plan', the clothed 'elevation'. The inscription on the tomb reads: "Know thy self. Del. Orac." and "The proper study of mankind is man. Pope." The books are: Pope's "Essay on Man", Locke, Newton, "Life of Alexander", "Albinus's Anatomy", "Adventures of an atom", "Essay on rattles, and sceptres". A series of quotations by Shakespeare, Pope, and Addison surround the figure, their subjects ranging from the insignificance of man to his divinity. A quotation from 'David' reads "I am fearfully [asterisk], and wonderfully made"; an asterisk underneath it is followed by "this word may be render'd by the connoisseurs, frightfully"

References note

A. Whitman, British mezzotinters: Valentine Green, London, 1902, number 325, [p.185]

Reference

Wellcome Collection 26236i

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