Human Physiognomy Explain'd: In The Crounian Lectures On Muscular Motion. For the Year MDCCXLVI. Read before the Royal Society: By James Parsons, M.D. and F.R.S. Being a Supplement to the Philosophical Transactions for that Year.
London:: Printed for C. Davis, over against Gray's Inn Gate in Holbourn; Printer to the Royal Society., M. DCC. XLVII.
Physical Description
[iv], viii, [viii], 82, [vi] p., 5 pl. (dble.); 215 mm. (Quarto).
Series Title
Croonian lectures ; : 1746.
Contents
[Pl.] - [T.p., dedic.] - The Preface - A List Of Such Authors as I could procure an Account of, who have treated of Physiognomy - Errata - [Text, lectures I, II] - Table I [-V, i.e. notes on plates I-V] - An Index For The Lectures on Physiognomy - An Index For the Lectures of the Years 1744, and 1745.
Responsibility Note
The plates are all signed as drawn by J. Parsons ('I. Ps. MD del.') and engraved by J. Mynde.
The work is dedicated by the author to Martin Folkes, President, and to the Council and Fellows of the Royal Society.
References
ESTC, N3546
S. West, 'Polemic and passions: Dr James Parsons' Human physiognomy explained and Hogarth's aspirations for British history painting', in British journal for eighteenth-century studies, 13 (1990), p.73-89;
G. Le Coat, 'Comparative aspects of the theory of expression in the Baroque age', in Eighteenth Century Studies, V (1971-2), p. 207-23.
Summary Note
Parsons's intention in these lectures is stated in his Preface: 'I have endeavour'd to make these Lectures as entertaining as I could, and as instructive; wherby anyone, versed in the Art of designing may be able to represent the Passions of the Mind upon the Face, by dint of his Knowledge of the muscular Structure'. The importance of expression and the representation of the emotions had been discussed by Aristotle (De Physiognomia), and in more recent times by Alberti, Leonardo, Della Porta and Lomazzo. One of the best known treatments of the subject was that of Charles le Brun (Conférence sur l'expression, 1698), who based his system on a theory of Descartes.
Reproductions
An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 2002 (Woodbridge, Conn.: Primary Source Microfilm).
Provenance
Acquired between 1769 and 1802. Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Binding Note
18th-century half calf, marbled-papered boards; rebacked and recornered in 20th century, spine lettered '1745', red morocco spine-label lettered 'Parsons' Crounian Lectures'. Bound with, 'The Crounian Lectures On Muscular Motion. For the Years MDCCXLIV and MDCCXLV. Read before the Royal Society: By James Parsons ...' (1745).