Calves' Heads and Brains, or A Phrenological Lecture
Description:
Even in the first years of its popularity during the early nineteenth century, phrenology was a source of amusement to many and became a target for a number of satiric artists of the day, such as George Cruikshank, the "Phiz" illustrator of Charles Dickens' works. Note, particularly, the negative qualities of slyness, pride, and suspicion and the busts of Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828) and Johann Gaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832) on the floor. In the lower right-hand corner can be discerned the supposed names of the artist, J. Lump, and the engraver, L. Bump, but the print is attributed to Henry Thomas Alken (1785-1851), a popular sporting illustrator of the early 19th century Early nineteenth century satirical illustration of a phrenological lecture, attributed to Henry Thomas Alken, featuring busts of Gall and Spurzheim
The Boston Medical Library does not hold copyright on all materials in this collection. For use information, consult Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Published for the Artist
Notes:
Purchased for the Boston Medical Library through the Mark David Altschule Fund for Prints and Graphics, 1983
