Johanna Casper Lavater

The famous Swiss divine and author, whose learned work on physiognomy is largely illustrated by the silhouette portraits of famous persons of his day, cut or drawn by himself.

  Page from Lavater's book

 LAVATER’S CHARACTER-READING

Lavater, in the late eighteenth century, illustrated his principles of physiognomy with  these notes (abbreviated) on the profile "Shades" reproduced in 1 to 6 above.

 Fig. I. An original countenance that will speak sensibility, timidity, perspicuity, wit, and imagination. Not to be numbered among the strong, bold, unshaken, and enterprising; but very considerate, cautious to timidity.

 Fig.. 2. A man of business. Undoubtedly possessed of talents, punctual honest, love of  order, and deliberation. An acute inspector of men; a calm, dry, determined judge. To the middle of the mouth is an advancing trait, which speaks superiority in common affairs.

 Fig. 3. A good head-Cannot be mistaken, not even in shade. Conceal the under part and Leave only the nose and forehead visible and signs of attention, love of order and certainty are apparent. -The forehead, altogether, is too perpendicular for a productive, mind.

 Fig. 4. The forehead is not so entirely exact and pure as to discover the whole capacity of his understanding. The harmony of the whole, especially the nose, mouth, and chin, denote a mind of extraordinary observation, research, and analysis. 

 Fig. 5. A noble forehead, a miracle of purity, the love of order, I might say, the love of light. Such the nose, such is all. 

 Fig. 6. Much is to be learnt from this shade. Takes little, gives much; this is particularly conspicuous in the too round outline of the lips, which is most defective. The most delicate lines have either not been remarked, or cut away. The upper part of the forehead is, also, something curtailed; otherwise this countenance is refined, discreet, capable of talents, taste, wit,  and morals.

The Portrait Miniature in England from V & A Publications Price: £19.99

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