An Old Maid's Skull Phrenologised

An Old Maid's Skull Phrenologised

Phrenology

Spurzheim, J. G. (Johann Gaspar), 1776-1832

Lamber, E. F. (artist)

Hunt, F. C. (printmaker)

Satires (document genre)

Prints (visual works)

This English satiric print illustrates some of the absurdities associated with phrenology, as the traits and marked skulls of dogs, birds, and horses are treated on a par with humans. The phrenologist "Doctor S." may be intended to represent Johann Gaspar Spurzheim.

The Inscription on the recto of the image reads: "Old Maid: Doctor A., when you have examined all my bumps, I'll trouble you to explain the faculties, sympathies & propensities of my dear poodle Pompey.
Doctor S.: Miss Strangeways! I can distinctly enumerate thro' the aid of my Patent Skullmeter, that your cranium contains 16,542 1/2 Mental faculties, which I shall by my scale of individuality describe on a future occasion. As for your Poodle Pompey, his prominent bumps are Uxoriousness and Philoprogenitiveness!!!"

Satiric print showing "Doctor S." examining the skull of a woman, with a dialogue between the two written underneath the image

Lamber, E. F.

Harrison Isaacs

1830, circa

Hunt, F. C. (printmaker)

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Manfred Kraemer Collection of Medical Prints and Satires

image

1 print

aquatint on paper

still image

Gift of the Maine Medical Center Foundation to Harvard Medical School, 1991

28 x 28 cm