The expression of the emotions in man and animals / by Charles Darwin ; edited by Francis Darwin.

  • Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882.
Date:
1904
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The expression of the emotions in man and animals / by Charles Darwin ; edited by Francis Darwin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/458 (page 16)
    these may, I think, be relied on as truthful, and will hereafter be specified. On the other hand, the most widely different judgments were pronounced in regard to some of them. This exhibition was of use in another way, by convincing me how easily we may be misguided by our imagination; for when I first looked through Dr. Duchenne’s photographs, reading at the same time the text, and thus learning what was intended, I was struck with admiration at the truthfulness of all, with only a few exceptions. Nevertheless, if I had examined them without any explanation, no doubt I should have been as much perplexed, in some cases, as other persons have been. Fourthly, I had hoped to derive much aid from the great masters in painting and sculpture, who are such close observers. Accordingly, I have looked at photo¬ graphs and engravings of many well-known works ; but, with a few exceptions, have not thus profited. The reason no doubt is, that in works of art, beauty is the chief object; and strongly contracted facial muscles destroy beauty.22 The story of the composition is generally told with wonderful force and truth by skilfully given accessories. Fifthly, it seemed to me highly important to ascertain whether the same expressions and gestures prevail, as has often been asserted without much evidence, with all the races of mankind, especially with those who have asso¬ ciated but little with Europeans. Whenever the same movements of the features or body express the same emotions in several distinct races of man, we may infer 22 See remarks to this effect in Lessing’s f Laocoon,’ translated by W. Ross, 1836, p. 19.