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LDE ENGL1721


A Treatise on Painting, by Leonardo da Vinci
1721
Senex and Taylor, London


Chapter

LDE T1025   CID247  Of the Motions made in laughing and crying and their Difference

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Between a Person in Laughter, and another in Tears, appears no sensible difference, in the Eyes, the Mouth, or the Cheeks; but only, in the Form and Disposition of the Eye-brows; these being swell'd, and drawn together, in him that weeps, and higher and more level in him that laughs. One may further show a Person who weeps, tearing his Cloaths, or falling into such other extravagancies, as may be most suitable to the Subject of his Sorrow; for we find some People weep out of Rage, others for Fear, another out of Excess of Tenderness and Joy, another out of Suspicion, another through Pain and Torment, and another out of Grief, for the Death of a Relation, or Friend: Thus likewise must the Degree and Expressions of Sorrow be varied; one Man appearing abandoned to Dispair, another more Composed and Moderate, a third contenting himself with pouring out Tears, while a fourth adds Groans and Lamentations; another may be seen with his Eyes fix'd towards Heaven, his Arms hanging down, wringing his Hands, or clasping his Fingers within each other; and another out of ap prehension, shrugging up his Shoulders to his Ears. The Eye-brows of every Man in Tears must be drawn up, near their Jonctures, and approach'd close to each other; and the sides and middle of his Mouth, must be wrinkled downwards: a Person Laughing, on the contrary, having the sides of his Mouth raised, and his Eye-brows flat and extended.