Topic Reading-Vol.2656-7/20/2019
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Topic Reading-Vol.2656-7/20/2019
0422-27-5366
〒180-0006 東京都武蔵野市中町2-3-5 IIHA武蔵野1階
電話受付/月〜金 9:00-18:00
Topic Reading-Vol.2656-7/20/2019
Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Why so serious? The reason we rarely see smiles in art history
Can you keep smiling for hours? That’s what you need to do if you want your portrait smiling. Ever since the invention of photography in the mid-19th century, smiling has been the de-facto standard for portraits and selfies. But prior to the technology invention, the subject of a portrait had to endure hours maintaining the same facial expression. That is one reason most of the portraits in museums aren’t smiling. Also, smiling wasn’t considered decent at least among people in high class. Very rarely though, smiles were painted in the Renaissance period like Mona Lisa by Leonard da Vinci. How Lisa Gherardini maintained her famous enigmatic smile while the renowned artist was painting it is still a mystery. Even in the following the Baroque, Romanism, and Neoclassicism period, smiling wasn’t so popular for western portraits.
After all, people who controlled society, religion, or wealth didn’t have to be worried about elections or popularity. Also, while they were being painted, they were in a formal dress. Dignity might have suited better than friendliness.
Enjoy reading and learn why you don’t see smiling portraits in the museum.
https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/artsy-smiles-art-history/index.html
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