Contemplation - Lord Monboddo in his Study, 1784 (etching)

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Contemplation - Lord Monboddo in his Study, 1784 (etching)

XJF486375 Contemplation - Lord Monboddo in his Study, 1784 (etching) by Kay, John (1742-1826); Private Collection; (add.info.: James Burnett, Lord Monboddo (1714-99) was a Scottish judge, scholar of linguistic evolution, philosopher and deist. He is most famous today as a founder of modern comparative historical linguistics. this is a satire on Monboddos major study, Of the Origin and Progress of Language (1773-92), on which he is shown working. In the first of the six volumes, he controversially studied man as an animal, humanised by civil society and the arts, and maintained that the ape was a class of the human species. The picture hanging behind him of eight naked children with tails refers to his much ridiculed assertion that humans originally had them.); Scottish, out of copyright

Media ID 12913448

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Contemplation Desk Evolution Judge Scholar

EDITORS COMMENTS
Contemplation - Lord Monboddo in his Study, 1784 (etching) captures the essence of Scottish judge and scholar James Burnett, better known as Lord Monboddo. This satirical print by John Kay playfully depicts Monboddo engrossed in his major study, Of the Origin and Progress of Language. Seated at his desk surrounded by books and manuscripts, Monboddo appears deep in thought as he delves into the mysteries of linguistic evolution. Known for his controversial theories on human origins, he argued that humans were originally animal-like creatures who evolved through civil society and the arts. The humorous twist lies in the picture hanging behind him: eight naked children with tails. This sly reference pokes fun at Monboddo's ridiculed belief that humans once possessed tails. It serves as a reminder of how even great minds can occasionally wander down eccentric paths. Kay's etching beautifully captures the ambiance of a Georgian-era study with its elegant interior design and large window offering a glimpse into an idyllic outdoor scene. The image portrays both Monboddo's scholarly pursuits and his connection to nature. This print is not just a portrait; it is a snapshot of intellectual curiosity combined with wit and satire. It immortalizes Lord Monboddo's contribution to comparative historical linguistics while also reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.

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