Drawing: Expressions of Emotion (Laughter, Weeping, Compassion, Sadness), from Encyclopédie
1762/77
A. J. Defehrt (French, active 18th century) after Charles le Brun (French, active 17th century-1765) published by André le Breton (French, 1708-1779), Michel-Antoine David (French, c. 1707-1769), Laurent Durand (French, 1712-1763), and Antoine-Claude Briasson (French, 1700-1775)
France
Le Brun’s most active expressions appear at the top of this sheet. His lecture linked the states of laughter and weeping, suggesting that with the exception of laughter’s exposed teeth, they should be drawn in nearly the same way. Sadness, a purer expression than the first two, appears at the bottom right as a “disagreeable languor of the soul.” The compassionate youth at left appears equally subdued by his contemplation of this tragic state.
Etching with engraving on cream laid paper