Engraving of a pale figure lying on a stone floor beside a skull as a man in a doorway watches; leaded window behind.

Frankenstein: Victor observing the creature's first stirrings, 1831 engraving

An engraved book illustration shows a pale, muscular figure sprawled on the floor beside a skull and bones, while a dark-clad man stands in a doorway at right, gripping the frame. A leaded arched window and an open book lie in the stone-walled room. Caption text beneath reads 'Frankenstein' with a quoted passage and publication details.

Artist: Theodor von Holst
Date: 1831
Medium: Book illustrations Engravings
Source: Wellcome Collection
Size: 2374 × 4000 px

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Public domain · Wellcome Collection marks it Public Domain Mark; made by 1831.
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 1830s 1831 engraving book illustration skull laboratory doorway gothic frankenstein monochrome