Hieroglyphics: A Collection Of Composite Portraitures By Fores 


Before AI and Photoshop became the dominant art generators, one artist from the 16th century spurred a whimsical trend dubbed composite portraiture amongst art aficionados.  This rather idiosyncratic style was inspired by the Italian Renaissance painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo whose unique idea was to compose the form of human portraits using animals, fruits and tools that are rife with symbolism. 

#1

#2

One of the most bizarre but brilliant interpretations of this style was by London-based publisher Samuel William Fores. His series gained popularity in the 1800s under the title of Hieroglyphics. Featuring aquatint portraits of various traders from grocers to blacksmiths and more, these pieces were constructed using the tools of their respective trades. For example, the grocer’s image is a cleverly composed collection of produce and baskets visually forming the portrait.

#3

#4

#5

#6

The Hieroglyphics moniker is more than just a witty reference, it’s also a reflection of significant cultural impacts. According to The Public Domain Review, Fores designed these portraits soon after the 1977 discovery of the Rosetta Stone by Napoleon’s troops in Egypt. The concept of symbols representing words and ideas had taken the art world by storm, imbuing the world with a keen interest in hieroglyphs. Though today, hieroglyphs represent ancient Egyptian writing, the thought behind this particular passion project was that anything, including a human face, could be translated into a series of complex but meaningful symbols.

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

These wonderful prints from this intriguing series are exhibited at the Wellcome Collection in London free to anyone interested in visiting.