Franz Joseph Gall measuring the head of a bald, elegantly dressed old lady; her pet poodle is entwined in her wig on a chair. Coloured aquatint by F.C. Hunt after E.F. Lambert, ca. 1823.

Although in the lettering the doctor's initial is S implying that he is Spurzheim, his physical appearance is more like that of Gall

Gall reached the height of his popularity during a tour of Germany in 1805. In 1807, he set up practice as a medical practitioner in Paris. He did not visit London until 1823 but his reception did not go as well as he expected and he soon abandoned plans. It is likely that this print dates to this time

[London?] : [publisher not identified], [1823?]

1 print : aquatint, with watercolour ; image 21.2 x 27.7 cm

Rare specimens of comparative craniology. An old maid's skull phrenologised. ... Drawn by E.F. Lambert. Engd. by F.C. Hunt. Lettering continues: 'Old maid. "Doctor S. when you have examined all my bumps, I'll trouble you to explain the faculties, sympathies & propensities of my dear poodle Pomey." Doctor S. "Miss Strangeways! I can distinctly enumerate thro' the aid of my patent skullometer, that your cranian contains 16,542£ mental faculties, which I shall by my scale of individuality describe on a future occasion; as for your poodle Pompey his prominent bumps are uxoriousness and philoprogenitiveness!!!'

Not found in: British Museum Catalogue of political and personal satires, London 1870-1954

Wellcome Collection 11838i