https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/self-portrait-by-ernst-mach-1886/ * Home * Essays * Collections * Explore * Sources * Shop * Support PDR * About * Blog Search Search The Public Domain Review [ ][View All Results] The Public Domain Review The Public Domain Review PDRSupport PDR * Essays * Collections * Explore * Sources * Shop * About * Blog * * * * * * Collections / Images Self-Portrait by Ernst Mach (1886) [2499319225] This unique self-portrait, also known as "view from the left eye", is the creation of Austrian physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach, noted for his contributions to physics such as the Mach number (which relates an object's speed to the speed of sound) and the study of shock waves. The sketch appears in Mach's The Analysis of Sensations, first published in German in 1886 as Beitrage zur Analyse der Empfindungen, and is used to illustrate his ideas about self-perception. The considerations just advanced, expressed as they have been in an abstract form, will gain in strength and vividness if we consider the concrete facts from which they flow. Thus, I lie upon my sofa. If I close my right eye, the picture represented in the accompanying cut is presented to my left eye. In a frame formed by the ridge of my eyebrow, by my nose, and by my moustache, appears a part of my body, so far as visible, with its environment. My body differs from other human bodies beyond the fact that every intense motor idea is immediately expressed by a movement of it, and that, if it is touched, more striking changes are determined than if other bodies are touched by the circumstance, that it is only seen piecemeal, and, especially, is seen without a head. If I observe an element A within my field of vision, and investigate its connexion with another element B within the same field, I step out of the domain of physics into that of physiology or psychology, provided B, to use the apposite expression of a friend of mine made upon seeing this drawing, passes through my skin. Reflexions like that for the field of vision may be made with regard to the province of touch and the perceptual domains of the other senses. He gives a little more information on the origins of the image in a footnote: It was about 1870 that the idea of this drawing was suggested to me by an amusing chance. A certain Mr L., now long dead, whose many eccentricities were redeemed by his truly amiable character, compelled me to read one of C. F. Krause's writings, in which the following occurs: "Problem : To carry out the self-inspection of the Ego. Solution : It is carried out immediately." In order to illustrate in a humorous manner this philosophical "much ado about nothing," and at the same time to shew how the self-inspection of the Ego could be really "carried out," I embarked on the above drawing. Mr L.'s society was most instructive and stimulating to me, owing to the naivety with which he gave utterance to philosophical notions that are apt to be carefully passed over in silence or involved in obscurity. According to John Michael Krois the "Mr. L" in question is Mach's colleague at Prague University, Prof. Hermann von Leonhardi, son-in-law of the Kaul Christian Friedrich Krause mentioned. Krois also tells us that this original drawing sketched in 1870 in fact differed from the woodblock of 16 years later -- the right arm with pencil is absent, with a left arm instead brandishing a cigarette (which has found its way to the mouth in the 1886 image), and a steaming cup of Viennese coffee sits on a small table. Enjoyed this piece? We need your help to keep publishing. The PDR is a non-profit project kept alive by reader donations - no ads, no paywalls, just the generosity of our community. It's a really exciting model, but we need your help to keep it thriving. Visit our support page to become a Friend and receive our themed postcard packs . Or give a one-off donation. Already a supporter? A huge thank you for making all this possible. Support PDR Medium * Images Theme * Science & Medicine Style * Painting & Drawing * Book Illustration Epoch * 19th Century Tags best of illustration64no head2best of images86perspective5 Indexed under... E * EyeSelf-portrait from left Source Source Internet Archive / Royal College of Surgeons of England * Internet Archive logo More Internet Archive content on PDR (707) * Royal College of Surgeons of England logo More Royal College of Surgeons of England content on PDR (3) Rights Underlying Work PD Worldwide Rights No Additional Rights Digital Copy Rights * Labelled Public Domain Mark by source * We offer this info as guidance only Download Download Right click on image or see source for higher res versions Found Found Via JF Ptak Science Books Via Affinities Cover Imagery from this post is featured in Affinities our special book of images created to celebrate 10 years of The Public Domain Review. 500+ images - 368 pages Large format - Hardcover with inset image Order Today Published Feb 18, 2016 If You Liked This... Hand holding envelope Get Our Newsletter Our latest content, your inbox, every fortnight Privacy Policy More Info [ ][ ] HP[ ] [Subscribe] Become a Friend of the PDRPostcardsJoin our community of supporters and receive our themed postcard packs, delivered to your door twice a year. Friends also enjoy 15% off all prints.Find Out More Ancient Courses print Shop Our Range of PrintsPremium prints using pigment-based archival inks (Giclee process) on high grade heavyweight art paper. Available as unframed or framed and ready to hang.Free Shipping to US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia. The Public Domain Review The Public Domain Review is registered in the UK as a Community Interest Company (#11386184), a category of company which exists primarily to benefit a community or with a view to pursuing a social purpose, with all profits having to be used for this purpose. We rely on donations from readers. Please consider supporting the project and becoming a Friend of the PDR. * About * Masthead * Contact * Submissions * Explore * PDR Index * Sources * Further Reading * What is the Public Domain? * Rights Labelling * Reusing Material * Privacy Policy * Terms and Conditions * Essays * Collections * Conjectures * Curator's Choice * Blog * Shop * PDR Press * Prints * Shop FAQ * Returns Policy Subscribe to Our Newsletter * * * * * Pantagruel figures in a rowPantagruel figures in a row Pantagruel Sign Up for Our Newsletter! The latest wonders from the site to your inbox. Once every two weeks. [ ][ ] HP[ ] [Subscribe] Privacy Policy | More Info You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the provided link in our emails. * * * * * I have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions --------------------------------------------------------------------- {{ number }} {{ $localize("payment.title") }} {{ $localize('payment.no_payment') }} {{ $localize('payment.place_order') }} Pay by Credit Card --------------------------------------------------------------------- Pay with PayPal {{ $localize('cart.summary') }} {{ $localize('actions.edit') }} --------------------------------------------------------------------- Click for Delivery Estimates --------------------------------------------------------------------- Click for Delivery Estimates {{ $localize('cart.shipping_taxes_calculated_at_checkout')}} {{$localize ('errors.order_validation.custom_fields_validation.description')}} {{ $localize('actions.checkout') }} Sorry, we cannot ship to P.O. Boxes. Sorry, we cannot ship to P.O. Boxes.