Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.10281
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‘A cheerful countenance and a countenance of sorrow’
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
width (print): 307mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Illustration of a face showing an expression happiness and a face showing sorrow.
Image 1- This action suggests laughter. The buccinators carry the corners of the mouth farther back. The eyes are mostly shut.
Image 2- The action illustrated is weeping. The corners of the mouth are drawn down, pulling up the under lip. The eye-lid almost covers the pupil. Parsons states; ‘tears have their great use in human life; they are often the strongest and most persuasive solicitors for mercy.’
Parsons makes reference to classical texts and poetry in the accompanying text; connecting the expressions he illustrates with scenarios in said literature.
Plate 5 from Human Physiognomy Explain’d: In the Crounian Lectures on Muscular Motion by James Parsons FRS (London, C. Davis, 1746). Inscribed: ‘Tab .IV. p.72. I. Ps MD. del. J.Mynde sc.'
Image 1- This action suggests laughter. The buccinators carry the corners of the mouth farther back. The eyes are mostly shut.
Image 2- The action illustrated is weeping. The corners of the mouth are drawn down, pulling up the under lip. The eye-lid almost covers the pupil. Parsons states; ‘tears have their great use in human life; they are often the strongest and most persuasive solicitors for mercy.’
Parsons makes reference to classical texts and poetry in the accompanying text; connecting the expressions he illustrates with scenarios in said literature.
Plate 5 from Human Physiognomy Explain’d: In the Crounian Lectures on Muscular Motion by James Parsons FRS (London, C. Davis, 1746). Inscribed: ‘Tab .IV. p.72. I. Ps MD. del. J.Mynde sc.'
Associated place