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Presentation #2“A Wise man will Find us to be Rogues by our Face”: Physiognomy and Portraiture
Johnathan Swift’s observation about the relationship between character and physical features sums up an important comment of Western art. From the Ancient World into the 21st century, to varying degrees, the belief that physical features indicate clear and even irrefutable clues as to a person’s character influenced portraiture. Exploring Ancient statues and a host of Medieval and Renaissance paintings, as well as Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the impact this pseudo-science, physiognomy, had on art and portraiture will be highlighted. Taking this overview as a starting point, Santi di Tito’s late 17th century portrait of Machiavelli will be examined through this physiognomic lens in order to better understand di Tito’s posthumous representation of the controversial philosopher and gain insight into Machiavelli’s work The Prince. This original research will provide both an understanding of physiognomy and a new understanding of at least one reason Machiavelli has been viewed as scandalous.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
204 Draper Rd SW, Blacksburg, VA, United States, Virginia 24060
