Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Physiognomic Heads

Oxen, Lion & Horse with Human Eyes

Charles Le Brun (1619-1680) was court painter to Louis XIV and in that capacity covered mile after mile of wall and ceiling at Versailles (and elsewhere) with spectacles honoring the theory and practice of universal political repression.

To lighten the burden of this vocation, Le Brun amused himself with mingling the physiognomies of animals and humans, a typical 17th century form of recreation combining contemporary versions of both science and magic.  

Badger 

Eagle 

Ram

Lion

Ox

Rabbit

Owl

Weasel