Figure 6: The grimice produced is similar to a tic of the face 1854 - 1856

This photograph by Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne captures a subject with a grimace-like tic, using a process called electro-physiology. The image is albumen silver print on paper, a technique popular in the 19th century, which involved coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate. The stark contrast and tonal range of the print emphasizes the wrinkles and contours of the man's face, drawing attention to the artificially-induced expression. The process itself—using electrical stimulation to elicit specific muscle contractions—is central to the image's meaning. It reflects a scientific approach to understanding and documenting human emotion, reducing it to a series of mechanical responses. Duchenne’s method can be seen as a kind of physical manipulation, reflecting broader social issues around labor and control during the industrial era. The photograph challenges traditional notions of artistry, intertwining scientific inquiry with aesthetic representation, and prompting questions about the ethics of manipulating the human form.