Blake, Lavater and Physiognomy

Erle, Sibylle

doi:10.4324/9781351193719

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Lavater emphasised the uniqueness of the individual and differentiated 'between the fixed parts, the physiognomy or character of the face, and the flexible parts, the pathognomy or expression of the face'. 3 Charles Bell, surgeon, anatomist, artist and teacher, published in 1806 Essays on the Anatomy of Expression in Painting 4 in which he stressed the importance for the artist of both knowing and understanding anatomy when studying art. Bell concluded that anatomy was the basis of Design by God and that expression, attitude and movement of the human body were the grammar of the language the artist had to learn.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Charles Bell's (1774–1842) contribution to our understanding of facial expression

Hughes

Gardner‐Thorpe²

2022

J Med Biogr

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The human face reflects a person's character and emotions, both in health and disease. Charles Bell, published in 1806 Essays on the Anatomy of Expression in Painting in which he stressed the importance of understanding anatomy when studying art. He concluded that emotions were revealed in facial expression and that these expressions were only to be found in humans, not in lower animals. Charles Darwin in 1872 published The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, where he acknowledged Bell’s contribution to facial expression especially the role of the nervous system, but questioned Bell’s conclusion, that animals were incapable of showing emotions through facial expression. Darwin reasoned that human facial expressions reflected emotions, some from our primeval state, some from habit but most were universal and controlled by an involuntary nervous system, described by Bell, and now known as the parasympathetic system. This paper explores Bell’s contribution to the understanding of facial expression. We conclude that his understanding of neuroanatomy along with his artistic ability enhanced our comprehension of human facial expressions, although his theological interpretation of the reason for facial expressions and emotions needs to be seen more in the context of nineteenth century Natural Theology.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lavater emphasised the uniqueness of the individual and differentiated ‘between the fixed parts, the physiognomy or character of the face, and the flexible parts, the pathognomy or expression of the face’. 3 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Charles Bell's (1774–1842) contribution to our understanding of facial expression

Hughes

Gardner‐Thorpe²

2022

J Med Biogr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Blake, Lavater and Physiognomy

Cited by 1 publication

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Charles Bell's (1774–1842) contribution to our understanding of facial expression

Charles Bell's (1774–1842) contribution to our understanding of facial expression

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