An Old Maid's Skull Phrenologised

Dublin Core

Title

An Old Maid's Skull Phrenologised

Subject

Phrenology
Spurzheim, J. G. (Johann Gaspar), 1776-1832
Lamber, E. F. (artist)
Hunt, F. C. (printmaker)
Satires (document genre)
Prints (visual works)

Description

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!!!"

Abstract

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

Creator

Lamber, E. F.

Publisher

Harrison Isaacs

Date Created

1830, circa

Contributor

Hunt, F. C. (printmaker)

Rights

The Harvard Medical Library does not hold copyright on all materials in this collection. For use information, consult Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu

Access Rights

Access to the original work depicted requires advance notice. Contact Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu for additional information

Is Part Of

Manfred Kraemer Collection of Medical Prints and Satires

Format

image

Extent

1 print

Medium

aquatint on paper

Type

still image

Provenance

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

Still Image Item Type Metadata

Physical Dimensions

28 x 28 cm

Files

oldmaid.jpg

Citation

Lamber, E. F., “An Old Maid's Skull Phrenologised,” OnView, accessed March 29, 2024, https://collections.countway.harvard.edu/onview/items/show/6159.