Name

Vinci, Leonard D.

Morphology of Emotions

Resume

This is a new application from a well-established scientist, although the subject of the proposed studies is a departure from the previous work of the applicant. The studies are focused on an important area of research: understanding the morphological features of emotions. The lack of details regarding the expression, and the seemingly inappropriate choice of subject, dampen the enthusiasm for an otherwise excellent proposal. Also, it is important for the applicant to discuss in a meaningful way what data he expects to obtain, and what its biological importance might be.

Description (adapted from the applicant's abstract)

Emotions are an important part of human behavior, and make civilization possible. Despite their importance, very little is known regarding the physiological basis for emotions. In this study, the morphological features of emotions will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how facial expressions are controlled by the lips and eyes. Lisa, the wife of Francesca del Giocondo, will be used as a model, and will be drawn with an ambiguous smile. This will be interpreted as either inner happiness, suppressed sexual desire, or inane stupidity, depending on the viewer. This unresolved abstruseness will serve as a vehicle to better understand the subtleties of facial expressions and the emotions they convey.

Critique

This is an interesting application from a distinguished investigator who has been a major figure in the development of modern scientific thinking. Despite several substantial past accomplishments, the applicant has not been productive in recent years.

A major problem is the subject of the proposed study. The choice of Lisa, the wife of a Florentine gentleman, is inappropriate since there will be little public interest in this unknown third-rate model. Furthermore, from the preliminary data enclosed with the application, it appears that Lisa is not especially pretty, and will be fully clothed. The application would be strengthened by a better choice of model. The applicant has had tremendous success with his painting of the Last Supper; perhaps this theme could be followed up by a Last Breakfast, a Last Buffet Brunch, or even a Last Trip to the All-You-Can-Eat Salad Bar. The failure of the applicant to follow up on his past accomplishments, and to continuously pursue new directions, raises the issue of the dedication of the applicant.

If the applicant absolutely has to use a female model, he should choose a well-known model with a pretty smile. Suggestions include Madonna (the original), Marie Antoinette, and Joan (the one from Arc, not Des Moines). At a minimum, the name of the model should be changed to something more glamorous, such as Lisa the Great, Supermodel Lisa, or Love Goddess Lisa. Nobody will be interested in a painting of someone named "Mona Lisa."

Another problem with the application is the lack of details regarding the facial expression of the model. It is described as a "half smile," but the preliminary figures enclosed with the application show a more mysterious expression. From the enclosed figures, it is not clear if Lisa is showing the smile of enlightened happiness, the tranquility of a drug-induced altered mental state, or the inner peace that comes from having lined up a reliable baby-sitter for New Year's Eve. Further details of the smile, and the emotional state of the model, would help in the evaluation of the proposal.

The chromatic choices of the applicant are disappointing, and do not reflect the lively colors of the current Renaissance period. In particular, the applicant uses too much black, presumably reflecting his upbringing during the Dark Ages. A greater use of bright modern colors, especially orange, red, and chartreuse, would liven up the painting.

As a minor point, the applicant has apparently overlooked the eyebrows in the preliminary drawings enclosed with the application. The focus on the lips and eyes at the expense of other details is problematic, and reflects a general lack of concern for accurate reporting of the data.

In summary, this application is a departure from the previous successful work of this notable investigator. As proposed, the picture will have little popular appeal, and will likely end up adorning the wall of some two-bit Holiday Inn. To improve the proposal, the applicant should choose a better-known and/or prettier subject, use less ambiguous facial expressions, pay more attention to details, and decrease the use of black in the painting.

Investigators

Leonard D. Vinci studied with Verrochio in the Fraternity of St. Luke's in Florence. In 1482, D. Vinci left Florence for Milan, where he created several highly cited works, including The Musician and The Last Supper. D. Vinci is also an accomplished player of the lyre, and holds patents for the design of the helicopter and the submarine (although neither have yet to be successfully built). Together with his graduate student, Giacoma Salai, this research group is qualified to conduct the proposed study.

Budget

The requested funding period, 5 years, is excessive since only a single painting will be created during this period. The funding period should be reduced to 3 months, which is the average length of time for modern-day painters to create a single portrait.

The budget is also excessive. The requested amount for supplies, 6 cents per year, should be reduced to 3 cents to reflect the current costs of paint, brushes, and canvas. The annual inflation rate of 0.0067% is much higher than the current inflationary rate of 0.0011%. The costs of the consultant, Lisa, is considerably higher than the going rate for not-so-pretty fully clothed models, and should be reduced to 1 cent per month.