Mrs. Everitt and her son - The gigantic infant
- artist:
- William Richardson
Print, engraving: Mrs. Everitt and her son. The gigantic infant. 11 months dimensions, by W. Richardson, January 1780. Published as the Act directs, 21 Jany. 1780, by W. Richardson York House No 31 Strand. Print, etching, 27.5x21.5cm., image 21.9x17.8cm. Plate from a book. - The advantages of breastfeeding; the baby born 7 February 1779, at eleven months "of a prodigious weight"; with dimensions of "the amazing size"
Mrs Everitt’s son is shown aged 11 months. He was not particularly large when born, but by this age he was over three foot tall with a chest measurement of 30 inches. His excessive size was inaccurately attributed to the positive effects of breastfeeding.
Mrs Everitt’s son died young, probably from excessive production of growth hormones. The print was published to shock and amaze at a time when so-called ‘freak shows’ were popular at carnivals and shows.
Details
- Category:
- Art
- Object Number:
- 1987-701
- Materials:
- paper
- Measurements:
-
print: 275 mm x 215 mm
image: 219 mm x 178 mm
- type:
- print and breast feeding
- credit:
- Grosvenor Prints