Gullibility Collection

Cunicularii or the Wise Men of Godliman in Consultation, 1726 (engraving)
XJF867967 Cunicularii or the Wise Men of Godliman in Consultation, 1726 (engraving) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); Private Collection; (add.info.: Story of Mary Toft, the woman)

Le Md de chaines de suretés, 1840. Creator: Honore Daumier
Le Md de chaines de suretes, 1840. La chaine de surete ainsi nomme par ce qu'elle est un moyen sur de faire savoir que le badaud qui l'achete posse une montre

The Show-man, 1799. Creator: Monogrammist J.A
The Show-man, 1799. Keep your eye close to the Glass - and you will see a large / vide place full of Death and Destruction - where more / plagues await de frequenters den contained in de famous Box

The Quacksalver, 1648. Creator: Adriaen van Ostade
The Quacksalver, 1648

Le Marchand d'orviétan ou l'opérateur Barri, c.1743. Creator: Etienne Jeaurat
Le Marchand d'orvietan ou l'operateur Barri, c.1743. The Doctor's Visit, or "The Charlatan". Orvietan was a concoction of partially toxic herbs, wine, and dissolved honey

Open Your Mouth and Shut Your Eyes (Harpers Weekly), May 16, 1874. Creator: Unknown
Open Your Mouth and Shut Your Eyes (Harpers Weekly), May 16, 1874

German cartoon on the gullibility of women, 1850 (litho)
5208499 German cartoon on the gullibility of women, 1850 (litho) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: German cartoon on the gullibility of women, 1850)

Acroamatic Belt, ticket for three applications (engraving)
984038 Acroamatic Belt, ticket for three applications (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Acroamatic Belt)

An apology to the town (engraving)
559195 An apology to the town (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An apology to the town.); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection; English

Seeing (engraving)
610701 Seeing (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Seeing.); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection; English, out of copyright

An offer of shares in mines on the Moon (chromolitho)
668838 An offer of shares in mines on the Moon (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An offer of shares in mines on the Moon)

Peep at the comet (coloured engraving)
558345 Peep at the comet (coloured engraving) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827); Private Collection; (add.info.: Peep at the comet. Cries of London.); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection

Astronomy (coloured engraving)
560215 Astronomy (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Astronomy.); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection

The Speculator, 1852. Creator: Francis William Edmonds
The Speculator, 1852

Cunicularii, or the Wise Men of Godlimon in Consultation, December 1726

Admiration with Astonishment (Le Brun Travested, or Caricatures of the Passions), January 21, 1800

The Fool Who Sells Wisdom, ca. 1818. Creator: Godefroy Engelmann
The Fool Who Sells Wisdom, ca. 1818. [Le fou qui vend la sagesse]

A Couple in an Interior with a Gypsy Fortune-Teller, ca. 1632-33. Creator: Jacob Duck
A Couple in an Interior with a Gypsy Fortune-Teller, ca. 1632-33

Predatory lawyers, 1770. A gullible citizen between two lawyers; the one on the left knowingly lays his finger to his nose while the other smiles reassuringly at his client in a satire on legal

Credulity, Superstition and Fanaticism. A medley, 1762. Artist: William Hogarth
Credulity, Superstition and Fanaticism. A medley, 1762; Methodist meeting at Whitefields Tabernacle on Tottenham Court Road, London

English Credulity, or The Invisible Ghost, 1762. Illustration from Social Caricature in the Eighteenth Century... With over two hundred illustrations by George Paston

The Magician or Bottle Cungerer. English Credulity: or, Ye re all Bottled, 1749. Illustration from Social Caricature in the Eighteenth Century

The Doctors in Labour, or a New Whim Wham from Guildford, 1726 (etching)
XJF867842 The Doctors in Labour, or a New Whim Wham from Guildford, 1726 (etching) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: BM 1868, 0808.3514); English, out of copyright

The Magician, or Bottle Crungerer / English Credulity or Ye re all Bottled, 1749
XJF867806 The Magician, or Bottle Crungerer/English Credulity or Ye re all Bottled, 1749 (etching) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: BM 1868, 0808.3870); English

Animal Magnetism
Satire on the gullibility of the public - a monkey mesmerises the audience while his assistant picks their pockets

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"Gullibility: A Historical Journey through the Eyes of Art" In a world where skepticism is often praised, gullibility stands as a reminder of our vulnerability to deception. From the Cunicularii or the Wise Men of Godliman in Consultation engraving of 1726 to the German cartoon on the gullibility of women litho from 1850, art has captured this human trait with both humor and critique. One cannot help but chuckle at "Open Your Mouth and Shut Your Eyes" depicted in Harpers Weekly in May 1874. The anonymous creator cleverly portrays how easily we can be fooled when we blindly trust without questioning. It serves as a cautionary tale for those who fall prey to their own naivety. The Acroamatic Belt ticket for three applications engraving reminds us that even seemingly legitimate offers can exploit our gullible nature. This artistic piece highlights how persuasive individuals capitalize on our desire for quick fixes and easy solutions, leading us down paths filled with false promises. An apology to the town engraving showcases not only our susceptibility but also society's tendency to take advantage of it. We see how manipulation preys upon our trust, leaving us feeling foolish and regretful once reality sets in. Through "Seeing, " another captivating engraving, we witness how easily we are swayed by appearances alone. Our eyes deceive us as they paint illusions that cloud rational judgment, blinding us from discerning truth from falsehoods. Artists have also explored gullibility beyond mere individual experiences. The offer of shares in mines on the Moon chromolitho takes aim at collective delusions fueled by greed and fantastical dreams. It exposes humanity's willingness to believe in extraordinary possibilities without scrutinizing evidence or feasibility. Peep at the comet colored engraving reminds us that even scientific endeavors are not immune to exploiting gullible minds. In pursuit of knowledge about celestial wonders, we sometimes become susceptible to exaggerated claims and unfounded theories.