PASSIONS, in Painting, are the external expressions
of the different dispositions and affections of the mind;
but particularly their different effects upon the several
features of the face: for though the arms, and indeed
every part of the body*, serve likewise, by their
quick, languid, and variously diversified motions, to
express the passions of the soul; yet, in painting, this
difference is most conspicuous in the face. See PAINT-
ING, n° 15. and DRAWING, art. 9.
In sorrow, joy, love, shame, and compassion, the
eyes swell all of a sudden, are covered with a super-
abundant moisture, and drop tears; and, in grief espe-
cially, the corners of the mouth hang down, the eye-
lids are half shut, and the pupil of the eye is elevated
and half covered; and all the other muscles of the face
are relaxed, so that the visage appears longer than or-
dinary.
Passion
Passport. In fear, terror, fright, and horror, the eye-brows are greatly elevated: the eye-lids are expanded as wide as possible, so as to discover the white of the eye; and the pupil is depressed, and half covered by the lower eye-lid: the hair stands on end: the mouth is at the same time wide open; and the lips are so far drawn back, that the teeth both of the upper and under jaw appear.
Contempt is expressed by raising one side of the upper lip, so as to discover the teeth, whilst the other side has a movement like that in laughter: the eye, on that side where the teeth appear, is half shut, whilst the other remains open; however, both the pupils are depressed.
In jealousy, envy, hatred, and malice, the eye-brows are knit; and, in laughter, all the parts agree, tending as it were towards the centre of the face. See Plates XC. XCVIII.