Credit: © The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.10278
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    ‘The back view of the eye & the countenance in easy composure.’

    Date
    1746
    Creator
    James Mynde (1710, British) , Engraver
    After
    James Parsons (1706, British) , Artist
    Object type
    Library reference
    Tracts/CXXVII/4
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (print): 185mm
    width (print): 307mm
    Subject
    Content object
    Description
    Illustration showing the muscles of the back of the eye and a face in relaxed composure.

    Image of the eyes- annotations-

    a-The optic nerve
    b-The musculus attollens
    c-The depressor
    d-The adductor
    e-The abductor
    f-The trochlearis
    g-The obliquus inferior

    The portrait illustrates the relaxed state of facial muscles; ‘wherein no muscle can be said to have any particular action, and wherein every muscle in its respective place only conspires to form pleasing symmetry and proportion that appears thro’ the whole.’

    Parsons makes reference to classical texts and poetry in the accompanying text; connecting the expressions he illustrates with scenarios in said literature.

    Plate 2 from Human Physiognomy Explain’d: In the Crounian Lectures on Muscular Motion by James Parsons FRS (London, C. Davis, 1746). Inscribed: ‘Tab .II. p.50. I. Ps MD. del. J.Mynde sc.'
    Associated place
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