A false, incomplete expression of agreeable surprise, or admiration

1854-1856, printed 1862

Guillaume-Benjamin-Amant Duchenne (de Boulogne)

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

Artist, French, 1806 - 1875

The image shows the upper body of a man sitting upright, centered in the frame. His facial features include pronounced lines and wrinkles, a wide grin, and large eyes. The man has thinning hair that is combed back, and a prominent mustache. He is wearing a light-colored shirt that appears slightly disheveled, with the collar open. Several hands are seen around him; one is holding a metal apparatus around his head, which is connected to wires appearing to manipulate his facial expression. The background is a plain, smooth wall with a sepia-toned finish.

Media Options

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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. 33.; lower center-right of mount in black letterpress: Duchenne (de Boulogne), phot.

Wikidata ID

Q64154664

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