Detail James Tilly Matthews’ illustration of the "Air Loom" as featured in John Haslam’s book about Matthews called Illustrations of Madness (1810).⠀ ⠀ Matthews was a former peace activist of the Napoleonic Wars who was confined to London’s notorious Bedlam asylum in 1797 for believing that his mind was under the control of the “Air Loom” – a terrifying machine whose mesmeric rays and mysterious gases were brainwashing politicians and plunging Europe into revolution, terror, and war.⠀ ⠀ Read more in Mike Jay's essay on the site (click link in bio and search "madness")⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #mentalillness #illustration #brainwashing #mindcontrol #war #politics #airloom #bedlam https://www.instagram.com/p/B3chviGHLMo/?igshid=6xuorb097eu5
