Johann Heinrich Lips, The Hypocrisy of Female Appearance, Etching, 1780s

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A finely executed etching by Johann Heinrich Lips, produced for Johann Caspar Lavater’s influential treatise on physiognomy, one of the … Read more A finely executed etching by Johann Heinrich Lips, produced for Johann Caspar Lavater’s influential treatise on physiognomy, one of the most widely circulated and intellectually significant illustrated works of the late 18th century. The image presents a striking moral and psychological allegory, contrasting outward beauty with hidden corruption. The composition depicts a refined female profile juxtaposed with a skull concealed beneath a hooded cloak, positioned as if whispering into the living figure’s ear. This unsettling pairing embodies Lavater’s physiognomic theories, according to which external appearance was believed to reveal inner moral character. Here, the image serves as a cautionary emblem, warning against deceptive beauty and moral dissimulation—hence its title, The Hypocrisy of Female Appearance. Lips’ precise etching technique is evident in the delicate modeling of facial features, refined cross-hatching, and careful rendering of drapery, demonstrating his mastery as one of the leading reproductive engravers of his generation. The clarity of line and restrained composition reflect the Enlightenment ideal of rational observation applied to human character. Executed as part of Lavater’s monumental illustrated project, this print belongs to a broader visual program combining art, philosophy, and early psychological inquiry. It remains a compelling example of late 18th-century moral allegory and the visual culture of physiognomy. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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