Outlines of faces making mixed and contrary muscular movements (left) and sadness and dejection (right). Etching by B. Picart, 1713, after C. Le Brun.

In the interpretation of the left figure, John Williams in 1734 translated 'mouvement composé' as 'a sedate emotion'. However, 'composé' probably refers to the compound nature of the movement: Montagu, loc. cit., translates it as "mixed and contrary" movement . The engraving on the right shows a man weeping

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"

[Amsterdam (Sur La. cingel vis a vis le marche aux pommes a l'etoile)] : [chez B. Picart le Rom], [1713]

2 prints : etching ; platemark (L): 9.2 x 6.3 cm

Mouvement composé. Tristesse et abatement de coeur Bears numbers : P. 22b

Jennifer Montagu, The expression of the passions : the origin and influence of Charles Le Brun's Conférence sur l'expression générale et particulière, New Haven 1994, p. 131

Wellcome Collection 33511i