Engraved plate of twelve numbered line-drawn heads in four rows, showing varied facial features and expressions, some with long hair.

Physiognomic head studies, twelve faces in rows, from Lavater's Essays on Physiognomy

An engraved plate of twelve numbered head studies arranged in four rows, showing a single face type varied by changes in brow, eyes, nose, mouth and hair. The top rows show round, heavily simplified faces with frog-like eyes, while lower rows show long-haired figures with more defined features. Fine line drawing on a pale ground, a manual of expressive faces.

Artist: Johann Kaspar Lavater
Date: [between 1840 and 1849]
Medium
Source: Wellcome Collection
Size: 2316 × 4000 px

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Public domain · Wellcome Collection marks it Public Domain Mark; made by 1849.
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier A · as stated by the source: Public Domain Mark (Wellcome Collection)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Wellcome Collection

19th century engraving illustration line drawing physiognomy facial expression lavater book plate face study