Effect of portrait face to canvas area ratio on viewer's perception of subject's emotions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of portrait face size on viewer's perception of subject's emotions, which is important in many fields of human life. 73 students, including 26 men, 45 women, and 2 unknown, with the mean age 29, volunteered to participate. True experimental between-group design was used. The independent variable consisted of portraits with small, medium and big face to canvas area ratio. The dependent variable consisted of viewer's perceived strength of emotion expressed by subject on portrait. Results indicate that big faces are perceived as expressing emotions stronger. Thus, in order to convey the best possible message, or the best connection between the portrait and the audience, the size of face in portrait needs to be taken into account.