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.
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