The Mechanics of Human Physiognomy (French: Mécanisme de la Physionomie Humaine) by Guillaume Duchenne de Boulogne, published in 1862, is recognized as an important work at the intersection of art, science, and medicine. Created during a period of burgeoning interest in physiological psychology and photography, Duchenne’s work utilized electro-physiological stimulation to explore the connection between facial muscles and emotional expressions. An accomplished neurologist and pioneer of electrophysiology, Duchenne’s techniques and findings made significant contributions to medical science and aesthetic studies of human emotion.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century scientific optimism and the rise of photography as a truth-capturing medium, Duchenne sought to document universal expressions of human emotion. Using faradic electrical stimulation to isolate and activate specific facial muscles, he captured fleeting expressions that he believed were direct manifestations of the soul. These experiments culminated in an atlas of photographs, which not only served as empirical evidence but also as a practical guide for artists seeking to replicate authentic expressions in their works.
Duchenne’s artistic vision was deeply rooted in the belief that the human face was a divine canvas, encoding universal emotional truths. He categorized and analyzed expressions such as terror, joy, and sorrow, linking each to specific muscle movements. His photography emphasized the aesthetics of pathognomy, showcasing emotions as transient yet scientifically codifiable phenomena. Aesthetically, Duchenne's work embraced the high contrasts and rich textures achievable through albumen silver prints, enhancing the dramatic interplay of light and shadow on the human face. His choice of a toothless, elderly subject added an element of vulnerability and universality to the expressions, stripping them of individual identity and rendering them as archetypal depictions of human emotion.
Technically, Duchenne’s contributions to medical photography were significant for their time. He collaborated with Adrien Tournachon, a skilled photographer, to overcome the challenges of early photographic processes. The long exposure times necessitated innovative techniques to "freeze" expressions, and Duchenne's integration of science and art was pivotal in establishing photography as a tool for medical documentation.
First issued in 1862 with a photographic atlas (followed by a 1876 edition), the project’s legacy has been shaped by key presentations and holdings: plates from Mécanisme de la physionomie humaine have been shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while substantial collections at the École des Beaux-Arts (Paris), the Met, MoMA, and the National Gallery of Art continue to support research and display.
