The shift from ventriloquism as manifestation of spiritual forces toward ventriloquism as entertainment happened in the eighteenth century at travelling funfairs and market towns. An early depiction of a ventriloquist dates to 1754 in England, where Sir John Parnell is depicted in the painting An Election Entertainment by William Hogarth as speaking via his hand.Baldini, Gabriele, and Gabriele Mandel (1967). L'opera completa di Hogarth pittore. Milano: Rizzoli. p. 112. . In 1757, the Austrian Baron de Mengen performed with a small doll.
The shift from ventriloquism as manifestation of spiritual forces toward ventriloquism as entertainment happened in the eighteenth century at travelling funfairs and market towns An ear:ly depiction of a ventriloquist dates to 1754 in England, where Sir John Parnell is depicted in the painting An Election Entertainment by William Hogarth .as speaking via his hand.Baldini, Gabriele, and Gabriele Mandel (1967). L'opera completa di Hogarth pittore. Milano Rizzoli. p. 112. . In 1757, the Austrian Baron de Mengen performed with a small doll.