'Framing Disability exhibition' Johann Kleyser (tactile)

Synopsis

Title on print: Kleyser, 1718; aquatint by unknown artist; circa 1718; 10 cm by 5.4 cm. This man is named as Johann Kleyser on the Showhistory website (www.showhistory.com) and he probably came from Germany. He was a highly intelligent and gifted man, but like many who exhibited themselves it was not enough for an audience just to witness his body: he had to put on a performance. Visitors who came to see him were entertained by Kleyser writing ˜very finely with his mouth and right and left foot, in five different languages'. He also shaved and combed his hair with his right foot, walked on his two big toes and balanced on one toe. He would hop on one leg whilst the other was draped around his neck. The small size of this image suggests that it was produced as a promotional handbill or souvenir. In terms of Kleyser's stated intellectual gifts, such as the ability to write in five languages, he shares much in common with John Valerius (born 1667), an earlier showman also born with no arms. Since they were almost contemporaries and may indeed have been alive at the same time, it is likely that the legendary feats of one merged with the other in show business promotion. Nothing is known of Kleyser's personal life or who travelled with him, but he was probably on the professional touring circuit of the time, perhaps eventually returning to his native country after making as much money as possible. Description of portrait Kleyser, a solemn-faced man past youth dressed in informal attire, is shown standing facing the viewer. At the bottom of the portrait is an inscription that reads: "J Kleyser, born without hands or arms, exhibited in London 1718." He wears a hat with a wide brim that stands up and decorated all the way round by feathers. Flowing out from under the hat, is a long, shoulder-length wig that surrounds his full and clean-shaven face. A long cravat, tied at the neck, hangs down over a sleeveless shirt highlighting the lack of arms. The shirt is tucked into a pair of knee-length breeches that have a three-buttoned fly. His legs are stockinged but his feet are bare, the stockings having been probably cut off at the ankle to allow the use of his feet and toes in place of hands and fingers. Tactile image details The tactile image is three times the size of the actual print. Thick lines outline the figure. Three textures show the clothes - one for the breeches, one for the sleeveless shirt and one for the stockings. Solid texture shows the facial features, hat and buttons. Thinner lines show the wig and feathers on hat.

Copyright:

2011

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Publisher:

RNIB

Date of Addition:

05/26/17

Copyrighted By:

RNIB

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Health, Mind and Body

Submitted By:

Ian Green

Proofread By:

N/A

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.