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English gentleman consulting a somniloquist, 18th century
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English gentleman consulting a somniloquist, 18th century
English gentleman consulting a somniloquist in his chambers, 18th century. The sleeping fortune teller lies in a bed in a room decorated with crocodile skin, Egyptian figures and incense burners. Consulting the prophet. Handcoloured copperplate engraving after an illustration by Thomas Rowlandson from Journal of Sentimental Travels in the Southern Provinces of France, translated and abridged from Moritz August von Thummels Reise in die mitt??glichen Provinzen van Frankreich im Jahre 1785 ??1786, Rudolph Ackermann, London, 1821
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Media ID 23390008
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Ackermann Astrology Burner Consulting Crocodile Deception Discovering Exposing Figures Fortune Fran Frankreich Fraud Friend Gentleman Incense Jahre Journal Journey Mitt Glichen Mitt??glichen Moritz Occult Prophet Provinces Provinzen Reise Reveal Rowlandson Rudolph Sentimental Skin Southern Symbol Teller Thummel Travels Scam
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this intriguing 18th century handcoloured copperplate engraving, an English gentleman is seen in deep consultation with a somniloquist, or sleeping prophet, in his richly decorated chambers. The somniloquist, a popular figure in the occult world of the time, lies in a bed adorned with crocodile skin and surrounded by Egyptian figures and incense burners. The gentleman, dressed in the elegant attire of the era, leans over the sleeper, listening intently to the words that seemingly escape his lips in his sleep. The scene, based on an illustration by Thomas Rowlandson from the "Journal of Sentimental Travels in the Southern Provinces of France," is a fascinating glimpse into the world of astrology and fortune telling that was popular during this period. The use of exotic symbols such as the crocodile skin and Egyptian figures adds to the allure of the mysterious and the unknown. However, as the gentleman's intense gaze and the caption's title, "consulting the prophet," suggest, there may be more to this encounter than meets the eye. The somniloquist, after all, was often considered a fraud, a charlatan who used deception and trickery to extract money from the gullible and the curious. The gentleman's expression, a mix of concentration and skepticism, hints at his awareness of this possibility. Despite the potential for deception, the scene remains an intriguing symbol of the human desire to seek answers to the unknown, to peer into the future, and to uncover the secrets of the universe. The use of the copperplate engraving technique adds to the image's antique charm, transporting us back to a time when the world was full of wonder and mystery.
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