Phrenology - Franz Joseph Gall and Johann Gaspar Spurzheim

Johann Christoph Spurzheim was born in Longuich near Trier, Germany in 1776 although trained for a clerical career he began working with Franz Josef Gall (who was born in Baden, in the village of Tiefenbronn in 1758) on neuroanatomical research after meeting him and listening to his lectures in Vienna, Austria in 1800.

In 1813 Spurzheim separated from Gall and in 1815 published his first major work, The Physiognomical System of Drs. Gall and Spurzheim Founded on an Anatomical and Physiological Examination of the Nervous System in General and of the Brain in Particular; and Indicating the Dispositions and Manifestations of the Mind.

A copy is for sale on Ebay Click here to see it for sale on Ebay.

Phrenology is completely discredited but for me the real value of the books is the expressive illustrations which seek to prove the point.

Biography of Spurzheim.

Link to the library at Cambridge University titled Physiognomy and Phrenology: weird science?

Mark Twain on Phrenology from Neurosurgery.

Here is a link to an exhibit at Northwestern University of George Cruikshank's satirical treatment of phrenology. The first illustration is from Spurzheim the second Cruikshank comparing two different types. A review of the book from the London Literary Gazette.

NEW PUBLICATIONS. Phrenological Illustrations, or an Artist's View of the Craniological System of Doctors Gall and Spurzheim. By George Cruikshank. When a clever man hits upon a clever idea, he is very likely to produce a clever work. And, as Mr. George Cruikshank is an exceedingly clever man, and phrenology a subject admirably suited for the exercise of humourous talent,—it is not surprising that we should have in these Illustrations one of the happiest and most amusing performances of the times. To predict that it must be very popular, is to express an opinion that people have eyes to see, and sense to relish, a series of graphic jokes, comically conceived in their whole spirit, and drolly executed in their every detail.

Phrenological Illustrations by George Cruikshank at Amazon.com.

Another page about ridiculing phrenology.

Phrenology, in connexion with the study of physiognomy: Part I: Characters By Johann Gaspar Spurzheim at Google Books.

Reflections on Gall and Spurzheim's system of physiognomy and phrenology - at Google Books.

Phrenology, in Connection with the Study of Physiognomy: Illustration of Characters with Thirty-Five Plates By Johann Gaspar Spurzheim, Nahum Capen at Google Books.

Observations on the deranged manifestations of the mind, or, insanity By Johann Gaspar Spurzheim, Amariah Brigham at Google Books.

The Physiognomical System of Drs. Gall and Spurzheim Founded on an Anatomical and Physiological Examination of the Nervous System in General and of the Brain in Particular; and Indicating the Dispositions and Manifestations of the Mind at Google Books.

Books at Amazon.com

How to Read Character: Hand-Book of Physiology, Phrenology and Physiognomy, Illustrated With a Descriptive Chart (Classic Reprint)

A Measure of Perfection: Phrenology and the Fine Arts in America (Cultural Studies of the United States)

The illustrated self instructor in phrenology and physiology; with one hundred engravings, and a chart of the character ... By O. S. and L. N. Fowler.

How To Read Character - A New Illustrated Hand-Book Of Phrenology And Physiognomy For Students And Examiners With A Descriptive Chart

 
Head Masters: Phrenology, Secular Education, and Nineteenth-Century Social Thought

Some Account of Dr. Gall's New Theory of Physiognomy: Founded Upon the Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain, and the Form of the Skull

On the Functions of the Brain and of Each of Its Parts: On the Origin of the Moral Qualities and Intellectual Faculties of Man, and the Conditions of Their Manifestation

How to Draw the Human Head - Louis Bail's Drawing System

The Human Head: A Correct Delineation of the Anatomy, Expressions, Features, Proportions and Positions of the Head and Face, a new e-book by Prof. Louis Bail, graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, who was a famous advocate of teaching drawing in the schools, is available at Figure-Drawings.com.

It is titled The Human Head and has 64 illustrations in the manner made famous by Prof. Bail's system of Drawing Charts which were widely adopted by schools throughout the country to teach drawing to young students.

The Drawing Charts proceeded from drawing lines to drawing angles, then drawing curves, double curves, using the squares and angles to draw dwellings, drawing leaves, circles, ellipses and thenusing all of the above to draw simple, then more complicated ornaments. His goal was to train American students in the drawing arts so that they could become ornamental designers and have productive careers. His argument for the study of drawing was not very different from the argument people make today about improving American education. He made this argument about the teaching of mechanical drawing:

There is too much guess work in our mechanical operations, that can only be obviated by such instruction as you propose. A great deal of time is wasted in "cutting and fitting," and making things only "about right," when absolute certainty and correctness of plan should have been secured beforehand. There is no form, however complex, that cannot be indicated by drawing in such a manner that an intelligent workman, who is competent to read or, understand drawings, can execute the object represented with absolute certainty. The simple ability to read plans and drawings fit a man for a good position. In fact the foreman of a shop is often the only man able to do this. By leaving our mechanics in this semi-barbarous condition we lose much money and credit, and lower the intellectual and moral condition of our artisans. The more mind a man brings to bear upon his business the more respectable and self-respecting he will become.

The complete text from the Special Report of the Commissioner of Education on the Condition and Improvement of Public Schools in the District of Columbia By United States. Dept. of Education, Henry Barnard, 1870 is here.



The lessons on drawing heads proceed the same way from the simple form, to proportions of the head, to the muscular structure of the head to drawing the head from different angles to incorporating expression and character in the drawing of the head.

There was a preoccupation in the mid-1800s with drawing the head in profile and establishing the angle of the head. this picture illustrates one of Bail's drawings like that. The impact of the theory of physiognomy is discussed in an article titled Life Drawing from Ape to Human: Charles Darwin's Theories of Evolution and William Rimmer's Art Anatomy by Elliott Bostwick Davis






The plates of heads illustrate these subjects:

The Human Skull from the side.
The Human Skull from the front.
The Muscles of the Human Head from the side.
The Muscles of the Human Head from the front.
How to Draw the Mouth.
How to Draw Eyes from the side.
How to Draw Eyes from the front.
How to Draw Ears.
Facial Angles - 4 plates.
The Outline and Proportions of the Human Head in Profile.
The Outline and Proportions of the Human Head from the front.
The Head Looking Down.

The Head Looking Up.
Three-Quarters View of the Head - 2 plates.
Three-Quarters View of the Head looking down - 2 plates.
Three-Quarters View of the Head looking up - 3 plates.
Sample Drawings of Heads Illustrating the Principles of Drawing - 17 plates.
How to Draw a Caucasian.
How to Draw a African.
How to Draw Old Age - 2 plates.
How to Draw Infancy - 2 plates.
How to Draw Sobriety.
How to Draw Laughter - 3 plates.
How to Draw Discontent.
How to Draw Severity.
How to Draw Fright.
How to Draw Anxious Watchfulness.
How to Draw Bodily Fear.
How to Draw Weeping.
How to Draw Terror.
How to Draw Prayer - 2 plates.
How to Draw Innocence.
How to Draw a Misanthrope.
How to Draw Surprise.
How to Draw Great Pain.
How to Draw Rage.

Here is a notation from the Illinois School Journal of 1883 where Prof. Bail is among the judges for a Pencil Prize Award to drawing.



This is an advertisement from The New York Teacher from 1871 about Bail's Drawing Charts.




An original copy is listed at Amazon.com: The Human Head; a Correct Delineation of the Anatomy, Expressions, Features, Proportions and Positions of the Head and Face

The World Cat Lists it in only 2 libraries, Penn State where it is probably part of The Albert A. Anderson, Jr. and Evelynn M. Ellis Art Education Collection, and Yale where Prof. Bail taught at the Sheffield Scientific School, of Tate College.

Related modern books from Amazon.com:

How to Draw the Human Head: Techniques and Anatomy

Drawing the Human Head (Practical Art Books)

Draw Faces & Expressions

Making Faces: Drawing Expressions For Comics And Cartoons

A copy of The Human Head; a Correct Delineation of the Anatomy, Expressions, Features, Proportions and Positions of the Head and Face
at Amazon.com.




See other posts on drawing books by William Rimmer, John Gadsby Chapman.

How to Draw People - Harriet "Petey" Weaver

Body Proportions

Harriet "Petey" Weaver published a book titled Cartooning Plus Good Drawing in 1939.

She must also be the same person who was at the time the first woman ranger in the California Division of Parks. She authored a book about the parks, THEM WERE THE DAYS Early Days at Big Basin, Richardson Grove, Seacliff Beach & Big Sur by Harriett "Petey" Weaver, CSPRA's Honorary Ranger 1971. There is a film, FIRELIGHT SONG, being developed about her.

Here is a cartoon by Harriet "Petey" Weaver of the Park Service which shows a view of the Big Basin Redwood Park in California which seems to prove by its style that they are one and the same.


Analysis of Form

Construction of the Head











Facial Expression

Problems of Characterization











Cartooning Plus Good Drawing at Amazon.com,
Another copy Cartooning plus good drawing,



Her work as a cartoonist is mentioned in Women and the Comics by Trina Robbins and Catherine Yronwode

Other cartoon books include:
Weaver, Harriett E. ["Petey"]. Cartooning Sports. Worcester, MA: Davis Press, 1949.

Other examples of her work:
How to Draw Action
How to Draw Heads


How to draw cartoons at Figure-Drawings.com:

The Course of Cartooning - By Raye Burns


The All American Art of Cartooning - By Bert Cholet

Amazon cartooning books.