Figure 63: Expression of terror
1854–56, printed 1862
Medium
Albumen silver print from glass negative
Dimensions
Image (Oval): 28.2 × 20.3 cm (11 1/8 × 8 in.) Sheet: 29.5 × 22.2 cm (11 5/8 × 8 3/4 in.) Mount: 40.3 × 28.5 cm (15 7/8 × 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
2013.173.37
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the mid-19th century, neurologist Guillaume-Benjamin-Amandenne de Boulogne the study of human emotions through pioneering photographic experiments. Collaborating with photographer Adrien Tournachonbrother of the famed Nadar), Duchenne captured authentic facial expressions by applying mild electrical currents to facial muscles, isolating "pure" emotions unmarred by conscious posing. *Figure 63: Expression Terror* (1854–56, printed 1862) exemplifies this: an oval-profile view of a man's face contorted in raw fear, eyes wide and mouth agape, revealing the involuntary twitch of terror. Printed...
About the Artist
Guillaume-Benjamin-Amand Duchenne de Boulogne|Adrien Tournachon (French|French) · 1806 |1825 –1875 |1903
French, 1806–1875|French, 1825–1903