concept

Right profile of a boy exemplifying ancient Greek male beauty. Drawing, c. 1791.

Idealized profile of Martha Hess, exemplifying Lavater's principle of the homogeneity of the face. Drawing, c. 1791, after J.H. Füssli.

Twelve human profiles in outline, sectioned to show their disproportion. Drawing, c. 1794, after A. Dürer.

Head of the Apollo Belvedere statue in the Vatican. Drawing, c. 1791.

Two heads of ancient Greek soldiers. Drawing, c. 1793.

Head of the Virgin Mary. Drawing, c. 1793.

Jakob Gujer, known as 'Kleinjogg' (or 'Chlijogg' - little Jacob), a rustic 'man of nature' who inspired the Romantics: profile. Drawing, c. 1794.

Left profile of a boy exemplifying ancient Greek male beauty. Drawing, c. 1791.

The head of Apollo, his physiognomy having metamorphosed from that of a frog. Coloured drawing by J.C. Lavater, 179-.

An ideal head, yet according to Lavater, destitute of character. Drawing, c. 1792.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

All of Wellcome Collection, including our library, café and shop, will be closed on Monday 4 November for staff training. We will open again as usual on Tuesday 5 November.

We’re undertaking some research with website visitors to learn more about how people find access-related information provided by museums. This survey shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your time!

Help us organize our website content.

Ideals (Aesthetics)

Images

Catalogue

An ideal head, yet according to Lavater, destitute of character. Drawing, c. 1792.

Head of the Virgin Mary. Drawing, c. 1793.

Two heads of ancient Greek soldiers. Drawing, c. 1793.

Head of the Apollo Belvedere statue in the Vatican. Drawing, c. 1791.

Idealized profile of Martha Hess, exemplifying Lavater's principle of the homogeneity of the face. Drawing, c. 1791, after J.H. Füssli.