"Know Thyself"

Joseph Edwards (1814–1882)

Exhibited 1854 (?)

Marble

Source: Davies 355

William Davies describes this relief at length in his series of biographical essays on Edwards in the periodical, Wales. The idea, he explains, was to show “A philosopher directing the attention of a Youth to the celebrated Precept, 'Know Thyself,' inscribed over a niche containing a bust of Thales” (355). According to Davies, it was shown in the Fine Arts Court at the Crystal Palace in Sydenham, although I can find no record of it in the 1854 catalogue. [Commentary continues below. Mouse over the text for links.]

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Commentary by William Gibbs, image scan and formatting by Jacqueline Banerjee.

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