English 'treatises on physiognomy', c. 1500 - c. 1780
Physiognomy is a ubiquitous subject of both pressing contemporary concern and genuine antiquarian early-modern interest. By examining the ways in which physiognomical treatises were read, this study reconstructs a way of looking at and listening to oneself, other people, nature and God, which I refer to throughout as the art of physiognomating. Known in manuscript form in England from at least the twelfth century onwards and probably long before, printed English 'treatises on physiognomy' were a small but constant feature of early modern European culture which, in part, explains the success of Lavater. Although direct translations of Continental versions, the English texts drew their physiognomical content from a handful of Greek, Arabic and medieval Latin authorities. They were owned and read by people of all ages, from a variety of different social groupings and geographical areas. Physiognomating was a multi-faceted phenomenon of the <i>longue dureÌe</i>, understood by some as a natural language based on instinct, a magical knowledge based on divine revelation, a branch of natural philosophy, an aspect of medicine, moral philosophy, political science, humoral theory, astrology, fortune-telling, even game-playing.
Porter, Martin
Physiognomy--England--History ; treatises ; English ; physiognomy
English 'treatises on physiognomy', c. 1500 - c. 1780. Physiognomy is a ubiquitous subject of both pressing contemporary concern and genuine antiquarian early-modern interest. By examining the ways in which physiognomical treatises were read, this study reconstructs a way of looking at and listening to oneself, other people, nature and God, which I refer to throughout as the art of physiognomating. Known in manuscript form in England from at least the twelfth century onwards and probably long before, printed English 'treatises on physiognomy' were a small but constant feature of early modern European culture which, in part, explains the success of Lavater. Although direct translations of Continental versions, the English texts drew their physiognomical content from a handful of Greek, Arabic and medieval Latin authorities. They were owned and read by people of all ages, from a variety of different social groupings and geographical areas. Physiognomating was a multi-faceted phenomenon of the <i>longue dureÌe</i>, understood by some as a natural language based on instinct, a magical knowledge based on divine revelation, a branch of natural philosophy, an aspect of medicine, moral philosophy, political science, humoral theory, astrology, fortune-telling, even game-playing.
english treatises ubiquitous subject press contemporary concern genuine antiquarian early_modern interest examine_way treatises read study reconstructs way look listen oneself people nature_god refer throughout art known manuscript form england least twelfth_century onwards probably long print english treatises small constant feature early_modern european culture part explain success although direct_translation continental version english text draw content handful greek arabic medieval latin authority own read people age variety_different social grouping geographical_area multi_faceted phenomenon longue understood natural_language base instinct magical knowledge base divine revelation branch natural_philosophy aspect medicine moral_philosophy political science theory astrology fortune telling even game playing