The Bowes Museum Blog

Smiling is a means of communication between humans. It generally has a positive effect on both the giver and receiver, particularly when it spreads genuinely across the whole face, from the muscles at the side of the mouth to those by our eyes; becoming a ‘beam’ of delight or happiness.

The works in this selection are typical expressions from eighteenth and nineteenth century paintings. During this time, an artist’s record of happiness moved from an enigmatic smirk, deemed ‘proper’ and demure, through to the open-mouthed smiles we see today. The baring of teeth was historically seen as sign that someone belonged to the working class.

Harvey Ross Ball, an American artist and designer from Massachusetts invented the yellow Smiley face in 1963. He was employed by an insurance company looking to raise morale and presumably productivity. The design took 10 minutes and earned him $45. It remains a symbol of happiness throughout the world.

World Smile Day encourages us to make someone’s day better with a smile and has been nationally marked since 1999.