Laughter (from "Heads Representing the Various Passions of the Soul; as they are Expressed in the Human Countenance: Drawn by that Great Master Monsieur Le Brun") 1765 - 1800

This is an engraving titled "Laughter," part of a series called "Heads Representing the Various Passions of the Soul," after drawings by Charles Le Brun. Though we don't know who created this print, it exemplifies the 17th-century European interest in codifying human emotions. Consider how the print attempts to distill laughter into a set of visual cues. The pursed eyes, the raised cheeks, the slight parting of the lips to reveal the teeth. What does it mean to try and capture something as spontaneous as laughter? It speaks to a time when reason and order were highly valued. A time when people sought to understand and control the natural world, including human emotions, through observation and categorization. Yet, can such a complex and deeply human experience be truly captured in such a manner? The act of laughter can be a deeply personal expression of joy, relief, or even a shared moment of understanding and human connection.