Description:

AUGUSTE EDOUART (FRENCH, 1788-1861; ACTIVE IN THE U.S. 1839-1849) CUT PAPER AND WATERCOLOR FULL-LENGTH SILHOUETTE PORTRAIT OF GEORGE COMBE, DATED 1830.
From Edouart's folio of Irish figures. Dr. Combe dressed elegantly, holding a skull and pointing to a the head of a bust sculpture on stand, with a watercolor background of a nicely appointed interior with large draped window, a center table, and art on the wall, inscribed "67" at top right, "Geo. Combe" at top, and George Combe Esq. W.S. 1st May 1830" at bottom, in a bird's-eye maple frame with gilt liner. Frame, 15.25"h. 12.25"w. Seller's notes: George Combe (1788-1858) worked briefly as a lawyer and a brewer before devoting his career to the promotion of phrenology; a pseudo-science which explored the relation between the shape of someone's skull and their personality, intelligence and economic prospects. Although even at the time many people doubted the ‘scientific' evidence for such assumptions, Combe believed that phrenology was ‘the greatest and most important discovery ever communicated to mankind'. He published widely on the subject, and his book "The Constitution of Man" became something of a bestseller. In 1833 he married Cecilia Siddons, but only after subjecting both himself and his future bride to a phrenological examination in order to find out if the match was a suitable one. Apparently, it was, indeed, suitable. They remained married until his death in 1858.

Provenance: From the Collection of Peggy McClard & Randy Segotta (Weare, New Hampshire).

  • Condition: Overall in fine condition with some foxing and even toning. (TD 1.7)

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January 8, 2026 10:00 AM EST
Columbus, OH, US

Amelia Jeffers

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