A physiognomy expressing weakness and affectation. Drawing, c. 1789, after J.M. Schmutzer.

  • Schmutzer, Jakob Mathias, 1733-1811.
Date:
c. 1789
Reference:
28798i
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A physiognomy expressing weakness and affectation. Drawing, c. 1789, after J.M. Schmutzer. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain Mark. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Description

"I am not acquainted with the original of this print; I am even doubtful, whether it be a portrait. Whatever be in this, it is not a face of the first nor of the second class. It is not easy to determine, what with such a face it is possible to do; but it is very easy to guess what it never can and never will do—that is to say, nothing truly great. That physionomy is not in truth positively bad, but assuredly it has neither force nor greatness. When the face is in that position, or if it be inclined to assume such a position, the person is rarely capable of exalted sentiments, and still less of a great action. The contour of the forehead is more adapted to the face of a man than that of a woman; taken separately, it indicates wit rather than stupidity: the same character appears in the nose, in the eye, and the right eyebrow—but only when you consider them separately, and not in the combination before us ; for the expression of the mouth, the transition of the forehead to the nose, the chin, and in general that air of languor and dereliction, promise to the physionomist neither much wisdom, nor much virtue. The owner of such a face will captivate none but weak minds, and will resist only out of caprice or affectation."--Lavater, loc. cit.

Publication/Creation

[London], c. 1789.

Physical description

1 drawing : graphite

Reference

Wellcome Collection 28798i

Creator/production credits

Trotter credited with the engraving in the book

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