Johann Gaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832)

Alvan Fisher

Created:

Movement:

unknown

None

key Notes:

Phrenology Portrait, Neoclassical Realism

Dimensions:

medium:

Oil on canvas

Difficulty:

Master

New game

story of the work:

The painting "Johann Gaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832)" by Alvan Fisher, created in 1830, serves as a portrait of the prominent phrenologist and physician, who was instrumental in popularizing the study of the human skull's shape as a means to assess character and mental faculties. Fisher's work not only captures Spurzheim's likeness but also reflects the early 19th-century fascination with phrenology, a pseudoscience that significantly influenced contemporary thought on psychology and human behavior.

Description of the work:

The painting "Johann Gaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832)" by Alvan Fisher presents a portrait of the prominent phrenologist, characterized by a detailed rendering of Spurzheim's facial features and attire, which reflects the early 19th-century style. The composition employs a muted color palette, emphasizing the subject's contemplative expression and the intellectual gravitas associated with his contributions to the study of the mind.

Artwork Photograph Source:

Harvard Art Museum

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