Day: August 4, 2011

New Leaves: When Looks Deceive, or Not – Lavater’s Physiognomy

New Leaves is a series highlighting acquisitions in Special Collections and Archives. Did you know that Voltaire’s sharply pointed nose and chin were the physical manifestations that indicated his cynical wit? This is according to Johann Caspar Lavater (1741-1801) in his popularly received 18th century study of physiognomy which describes