The Mechanism of Human Facial Expression Duchenne de Boulogne

demonstration of mechanics of facial expression. duchenne , assistant faradize mimetic muscles of old man.



duchenne , patient, old toothless man, thin face, features, without being absolutely ugly, approached ordinary triviality

influenced fashionable beliefs of physiognomy of 19th century, duchenne wanted determine how muscles in human face produce facial expressions believed directly linked soul of man. known, in particular, way triggered muscular contractions electrical probes, recording resulting distorted , grotesque expressions invented camera. published findings in 1862, extraordinary photographs of induced expressions, in book mecanisme de la physionomie humaine (the mechanism of human facial expression, known mechanism of human physiognomy).

duchenne believed human face kind of map, features of codified universal taxonomies of mental states; convinced expressions of human face gateway soul of man. unlike lavater , other physiognomists of era, duchenne skeptical of face s ability express moral character; rather convinced through reading of expressions alone (known pathognomy) reveal accurate rendering of soul s emotions . believed observe , capture idealized naturalism in similar (and improved) way observed in greek art. these notions sought conclusively , scientifically chart experiments , photography , led publishing of mechanism of human physiognomy in 1862 (also entitled, electro-physiological analysis of expression of passions, applicable practice of plastic arts. in french: mécanisme de la physionomie humaine, ou analyse électro-physiologique de l expression des passions applicable à la pratique des arts plastiques), rendered mechanism of human facial expression. work compromises volume of text divided 3 parts:

these sections accompanied atlas of photographic plates. believing investigating god-given language of facial signs, duchenne writes:

in face our creator not concerned mechanical necessity. able in wisdom or – please pardon manner of speaking – in pursuing divine fantasy … put particular muscles action, 1 alone or several muscles together, when wished characteristic signs of emotions, fleeting, written briefly on man s face. once language of facial expression created, sufficed him give human beings instinctive faculty of expressing sentiments contracting same muscles. rendered language universal , immutable.

duchenne defines fundamental expressive gestures of human face , associates each specific facial muscle or muscle group. identifies thirteen primary emotions expression of controlled 1 or 2 muscles. isolates precise contractions result in each expression , separates them 2 categories: partial , combined. stimulate facial muscles , capture these idealized expressions of patients, duchenne applied faradic shock through electrified metal probes pressed upon surface of various muscles of face.

duchenne convinced truth of pathognomic experiments rendered photography, subject s expressions being fleeting drawn or painted. photography, writes, truthful mirror, attain such desirable perfection. worked talented, young photographer, adrien tournachon, (the brother of felix nadar), , taught himself art in order document experiments. art-historical point of view, mechanism of human physiognomy first publication on expression of human emotions illustrated actual photographs. photography had been invented, , there widespread belief medium capture truth of situation in way other mediums unable do.

duchenne used 6 living models in scientific section, 1 of whom patients. primary model, however, old toothless man, thin face, features, without being absolutely ugly, approached ordinary triviality. through experiments, duchenne sought capture conditions aesthetically constitute beauty. reiterated in aesthetic section of book spoke of desire portray conditions of beauty: beauty of form associated exactness of facial expression, pose , gesture. duchenne referred these facial expressions gymnastics of soul . replied criticisms of use of old man arguing every face become spiritually beautiful through accurate rendering of or emotions , , furthermore said because patient suffering anesthetic condition of face, experiment upon muscles of face without causing him pain.

aesthetics , narrative setting

g.-b. duchenne de boulogne, synoptic plate 4 le mécanisme de la physionomie humaine. 1862, albumen print. in upper row , lower 2 rows, patients different expressions on either side of faces

whereas scientific section intended exhibit expressive lines of face , truth of expression, aesthetic section intended demonstrate gesture , pose contribute expression; trunk , limbs must photographed care face form harmonious whole. these plates duchenne used partially blind young woman claimed had become accustomed unpleasant sensation of treatment … . in many of plates scientific section, model stimulated faradically provoke different expression on either side of face. duchenne advised looking @ both sides of face simultaneously reveal mere grimace , urged reader examine each side separately , care.

duchenne s experiments aesthetic section of mechanism included use of performance , narratives may have been influenced gestures , poses found in pantomime of period. believed electroshock , in setting of elaborately constructed theatre pieces featuring gestures , accessory symbols faithfully depict complex combinatory expressions resulting conflicting emotions , ambivalent sentiments. these melodramatic tableaux include nun in extremely sorrowful prayer experiencing saintly transports of virginal purity ; mother feeling both pain , joy while leaning on child s crib; bare-shouldered coquette looking @ once offended, haughty , mocking; , 3 scenes lady macbeth expressing aggressive , wicked passions of hatred, of jealousy, of cruel instincts, modulated varying degrees of contrary feelings of filial piety. theatre of pathognomic effect dominates aesthetic section of mecanisme.

beauty , truth

to him locate , identify facial muscles, duchenne drew heavily upon work of charles bell, had included psychiatric patients in studies. duchenne may have avoided photographing passions of insane because of technical problems @ time; however, more did aesthetic reasons – did not regard expressions of insane socially acceptable. interestingly, charles bell s writings showed instinctive revulsion mentally ill.

the exact imitation of nature duchenne sine qua non of finest art of whatever age, , although praised ancient greek sculptors unquestionably attaining ideal of beauty, nevertheless criticized them anatomical errors , failure attend emotions. @ end of scientific section, instance, duchenne corrects expressions of 3 revered classic greek or roman antiquities: in no manner, argues duchenne, of these countenances conform nature revealed electrophysiological research. questions greek artist praxiteles s accuracy in sculpting niobe:

would niobe have been less beautiful if dreadful emotion of spirit had bulged head of oblique eyebrow nature does, , if few lines of sorrow had furrowed median section of forehead? on contrary, nothing more moving , appealing such expression of pain on young forehead, serene.