Accession No
6719
Brief Description
satirical print, Calves' Heads and Brains or a Phrenological Lecture, showing a caricature of a phrenologist (possibly George Combe) lecturing to an audience amongst plaster heads, pictures, and books, by J. Lump and P. Bump [pseudonyms], 1826
Origin
Maker
Lump, J. [pseudonym] Bump, J. [pseudonym]
Class
prints
Earliest Date
1826
Latest Date
1826
Inscription Date
Material
paper
Dimensions
290mm x 235mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Purchased from Grosvenor Prints in 2018.
Inscription
Calves' Heads and Brains or a Phrenological Lecture
Concluding address
Ladies and Gentlemen
Having thus concluded the hundred and thirty ninth article, under the Head or Section of Propensities: I shall take my leave until the next lecture, by clearly elucidating in my own person an instance of Due Proportion of Faculties: Talkativeness with Gulling, standing First: and further beg to testify, beyond all doubt, or shadow of contradiction, that on the Craniums of this highly gifted and scientific Audience, the Organ of Implicit faith Under Evident Contradictions, Stands beautifully develop'd to a Surprising and Prominent degree Dear Ladies Worthy Gentlemen; adieu.
Description Notes
Satirical print, Calves' Heads and Brains or a Phrenological Lecture, showing a phrenologist (possibly George Combe) lecturing to an audience amongst plaster heads, pictures, and books, by J. Lump and P. Bump [pseudonyms], 1826.
A4-ish sized print, in colour, showing a caricature of a phrenologist lecturing to an audience. Some of the audience members are examining their own heads. The room has plaster busts and skulls scattered about on the floor (with names or characteristics written on them), framed prints on the wall, and a wall of books behind the phrenologist. These are filled with topical references.
The title 'Calves' Heads and Brains or a Phrenological Lecture' is listed at the top of the print.
At the bottom is printed:
Concluding address
Ladies and Gentlemen
Having thus concluded the hundred and thirty ninth article, under the Head or Section of Propensities: I shall take my leave until the next lecture, by clearly elucidating in my own person an instance of Due Proportion of Faculties: Talkativeness with Gulling, standing First: and further beg to testify, beyond all doubt, or shadow of contradiction, that on the Craniums of this highly gifted and scientific Audience, the Organ of Implicit faith Under Evident Contradictions, Stands beautifully develop'd to a Surprising and Prominent degree Dear Ladies Worthy Gentlemen; adieu.
Complete.
References
Events
Description
Phrenology is the study of skull shapes. The theory is that the bumps on a person's skull indicate the sizes of different areas of their brain, and therefore their personality and intelligence.
Although it was very popular in the early 19th century, phrenology is a pseudoscience: it looks a bit like science, but its methods are not scientific. It was used to justify racist and sexist beliefs, and to detect if someone was likely to be a criminal.
In this satirical print, a phrenological lecture is underway. The phrenologist has just whipped off his wig to reveal his very bumpy skull. There are mixed reactions from the audience. Some of them are feeling their own heads!
Label from the Learning Gallery display Caricatures & Cartoons (2024-25).
09/10/2025
Created by: Hannah Price on 09/10/2025
FM:47458
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