[Gulliver and the scientists on Laputa] · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: [Gulliver and the scientists on Laputa]
Subject: imaginary places; imaginary creatures; Fictitious characters; fictional works; philosophy; language
Period: 1750-1800;
Description: This image is a depiction of Gulliver interacting with the scientists and philosophers on Laputa. The object that the characters surround is an invention which the Laputans thought would reimagine their language. There are squares which would be turned by handles, which can be seen on the front side of the table. On each of the squares is a symbol representing a phrase in the Laputan language. The scientist stands in front of the table with his invention, explaining it to Gulliver who stands to the left side of the image. Students are surrounding the invention, listening to the scientist, waiting to operate it. A map of the island of Balnibarbi is on the wall behind the students. The same map, which shows how the island moves, is included in several other German editions of Gulliver’s Travels, including the 1727 von Wiering edition. A picture above the map depicts a child playing with branches and a man on horseback. Underneath this internal image is the phrase “jüng gebogen, recht gezogen”. The same image appears in the 1761 German edition.
Image Creator: S. Gessner F (Illustrator)
Type: StillImage; woodcut
Identifier: mta:20726
Language: ger
Source Name: Gulliver's Reisen
Parent Collection: 1762 Hamburg Gessner; 1762 Hamburg Gessner
Image: mta_20726_OBJ.png
Collection: Gulliver's Travels
Subject: imaginary places; imaginary creatures; Fictitious characters; fictional works; philosophy; language

Media: mta_20726_OBJ.png