Consultation of Physicians Lithograph, Satirical Medical Scene, c.1823
€ 880
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1823
Mapmaker / artist
Louis-Léopold Boilly, France, published London c.1823–28
Technique
Lithograph with contemporary hand-coloring
Sheet size
37 × 35.5 cm (14.6 × 14.0 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14155-2
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Minor age toning and occasional faint spotting. Overall well preserved with strong color.
About this sheet
Consultation of Physicians – Boilly Satirical Medical Scene, c.1823 One of the most iconic plates from Boilly’s Humorous Designs, Consultation of Physicians presents a tightly packed group of doctors intensely scrutinizing a medical case. Each face displays a distinct expression—suspicion, vanity, concern, self-importance—forming a sharp satire on professional authority and human foibles.
This image belongs to Boilly’s celebrated exploration of physiognomy, a subject that fascinated early-19th-century audiences. The exaggerated yet psychologically convincing faces demonstrate his extraordinary ability to capture character through subtle distortion.
The English edition published by McLean is particularly desirable, combining fine lithographic quality with contemporary hand-coloring. The subject matter makes this print especially appealing to collectors of medical history, caricature, and Enlightenment satire.
Condition report: Minor age toning and occasional faint spotting. Overall well preserved with strong color.
Framing tips: A dark wood or ebonised frame with a soft ivory mat creates a museum-style presentation well suited to libraries or studies.
