Mimetic muscles and emotions: Hans Memling's fifteenth century masterpiece, "Last judgment," as a study for aesthetic surgery.

As the most recognizable part of the body, the face has always interested, not only artists, but doctors as well. Each has had their own perception of facial beauty. The task for plastic and aesthetic surgery regarding the face is to reconstruct, not only traumatic lesions, but also to prevent the effects of facial tissue aging. It is also important to preserve the aesthetic values of the face in different emotional conditions. Those conditions are partially represented by mimetic or facial muscles. One might suggest that the perception of human beings portrayed by the artists could be very helpful in the realm of plastic and aesthetic surgery. Take, for example, Hans Memling, a fifteenth century Flemish artist whose masterpiece "Last Judgment" is exhibited at Gdańsk National Museum in Poland. The fortunate individuals on the left side of the painting are queuing at heaven's gate to receive their reward. Their faces are smooth with smiles, displaying blessings and happiness. The right-hand side of the painting exemplifies the expression of fear and the drama of the situation. These sinners have been damned and sentenced to hell by evil creatures. The fear, pain, and tragedy of condemnation fill their faces. For plastic and cosmetic surgeons, studying the works of great artists has not been as valuable as using the emotionless and intangible figures of an anatomy book. Undoubtedly, the only useful paintings and sculptures are those that are full of expression with the face displaying a plethora of emotions. In all surgical approaches where mimetic muscles are concerned, one has to remember and be conscious of the fact that the face is a very significant part of our body.