A Sure and Convenient Machine for Drawing Silhouettes.

"A Sure and Convenient Machine for Drawing Silhouettes," by Thomas Holloway, is a line engraving published in 1792. This work is part of Johann Kaspar Lavater's "Essays on Physiognomy, designed to promote the knowledge and love of mankind," a comprehensive study illustrated by more than eight hundred engravings executed by, or under the inspection of, Thomas Holloway. Lavater's influential essays, first published between 1775 and 1778, delve into the science of physiognomy, exploring the relationship between a person's outer appearance and their character. The machine depicted in Holloway's engraving reflects the era's fascination with capturing precise human profiles, a method integral to Lavater's physiognomic studies. This engraving demonstrates the meticulous craftsmanship and scientific curiosity of the time.