Figure 48: Mild weeping, pity and feeble false laughter
1854–56, printed 1862
Medium
Albumen silver print from glass negative
Dimensions
Image (Oval): 28.5 × 20.4 cm (11 1/4 × 8 1/16 in.) Sheet: 30.2 × 23.1 cm (11 7/8 × 9 1/8 in.) Mount: 40.2 × 28.5 cm (15 13/16 × 11 1/4 in.)
Classification
Photographs
Department
Photographs
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, The Buddy Taub Foundation Gift, Dennis A. Roach and Jill Roach, Directors; Harris Brisbane Dick and William E. Dodge Funds; and W. Bruce and Delaney H. Lundberg Gift, 2013
Accession Number
2013.173.26
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the mid-19th century, neurologist Guillaume-Benjamin-Amandenne de Boulogne the scientific study of human emotions through photography, collaborating with renowned photographer Adrien Tournachon (Nadar). *Figure 48: Mild weeping, pity and feeble laughter*, created between 1854–56 and printed in 1862 as an albumen silver print a glass negative, captures man's face in a complex blend of subtle expressions. This oval-framed image, measuring about 11¼ × 8 inches, exemplifies Duchenne's innovative method of electrically stimulating facial muscles to elicit "authentic" emotions, free from consciou...
About the Artist
Guillaume-Benjamin-Amand Duchenne de Boulogne|Adrien Tournachon (French|French) · 1806 |1825 –1875 |1903
French, 1806–1875|French, 1825–1903