Spasm of m. corrugator supercilii under very strong light (left); A relaxed face (photographed in full sunshine) (right)

1854-1855, printed 1862

Guillaume-Benjamin-Amant Duchenne (de Boulogne)

Associated Names
Guillaume-Benjamin-Amant Duchenne (de Boulogne)

Artist, French, 1806 - 1875

The image shows a man depicted from the waist up. His facial features include a furrowed brow and a slightly downturned mouth. He has thin, combed-back hair. The man is wearing a loose-fitting, open-collared shirt that reveals part of his chest. One of his hands is visible, resting against his torso. Another hand is holding an instrument or device against the side of his head. The background is dark.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

See all 32 artworks
The image shows a man facing the camera with a slight turn to his right. He has a stern expression, prominent cheekbones, a furrowed brow, thinning hair on the top of his head, and slightly unkempt longer strands on the sides. He wears a light-colored, partially unbuttoned shirt revealing his chest, and dark pants or a belt. There are no visible pieces of jewelry or objects being held. The background is plain with a subtle gradient from light to dark.

Face in repose

Guillaume-Benjamin-Amant Duchenne (de Boulogne)

1854

This is a photograph of a closed album cover with French text. The album cover is made of a textured material with a dark green hue. It features embossed text in gold, stating "Dr Duche(enne de Boulogne)" and "MÉCANISME DE LA PHYSIONOMIE ALBUM" across the front. The text is centered, with varying sizes and styles to distinguish between titles and subtitles. Decorative horizontal lines are present above and below some of the text. The album is tied on the side with beige or light brown fabric ties. The overall appearance is formal.

Mécanisme de la Physionomie (The Mechanism of Human Facial Expression)

Guillaume-Benjamin-Amant Duchenne (de Boulogne)

1862

The image shows a man from the waist up. He has a mustache, medium-length wavy hair, and crossed arms. He is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The man is wearing a loose-fitting, light-colored shirt and there is no visible jewelry. The background is plain with a sepia tone. The photograph is presented within an oval frame with darkened edges.

Face in repose

Guillaume-Benjamin-Amant Duchenne (de Boulogne)

1854

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Alphonse Bertillon, Paris; by descent to Pascal Vincent-Bertillon, Paris; NGA purchase (through Denis Canguilhem, Paris), 2015.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2015

  • Celebrating Photography at the National Gallery of Art: Recent Gifts, Washington, DC, November 1, 2015–February 28, 2016

Inscriptions

upper center of mount in black letterpress: Électro-Physiologie Photographique. / Fig. 22.; lower center-right of mount in black letterpress: Duchenne (de Boulogne), phot.

Wikidata ID

Q64154657

You may be interested in

Loading Results