Three faces: weeping (top), expressing compassion (bottom left), and scorn (bottom right). Engravings after C. Le Brun.

Le Brun's depiction of the passions is supported by his theory of the passions, which is delineated in the 'Conférence'. In Cartesian style, each compound passion is an organisation of the six simple passions of admiration, love, hatred, desire, joy and sadness. For instance, jealousy is a composite of love and hate; despair "is a strong persuasion of not being able to obtain what we desire"

Bears extensive lettering: translations of Le Brun's analyses of the facial attributes of weeping, compassion and scorn

3 prints : line engraving ; each platemark approx. 19.1 x 14 cm

Weeping. Compassion. Scorn ...

Wellcome Collection 33655i