A female figure representing science trimming the lamp of life. Engraving by A. R. Freebairn, 1849, after W. Wyon.

  • Wyon, William, 1795-1851.
Date:
1849
Reference:
26215i
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view A female figure representing science trimming the lamp of life. Engraving by A. R. Freebairn, 1849, after W. Wyon.

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Credit

A female figure representing science trimming the lamp of life. Engraving by A. R. Freebairn, 1849, after W. Wyon. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain Mark. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Description

"This exceedingly beautiful composition is from the reverse of the medal, executed some years since as a testimonial to the eminent surgeon Sir Benjamin Brodie. Nothing could by possibility be more appropriate in design, or in purer taste than it is : and one knows not whether most to admire its classic severity in the rejection of accessories, or the many graces shown in the figure, the modelling of which is admirably borne out by the peculiar process of the engraving ; a process executed by a machine instead of the ordinary method of hand-work, and which is peculiarly adapted for copying bas-reliefs, or relieved surfaces: indeed by no other process could such an effect be produced — one so delusive in its results that, except by passing the finger over the print it would be difficult to believe it any thing else than a surface in actual "relief."--The sculpture gallery, loc. cit.

Publication/Creation

[Place of publication not identified] : The Gallery of Sculpture, 1849 (R.M. Marks)

Physical description

1 print : line engraving ; diameter 21.3 cm

Lettering

Science trimming the lamp of life. Engraved by Freebairn (by the anaglyptograph) from the medal (the Brodie testimonial) by William Wyon, R.A.

Reference

Wellcome Collection 26215i

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