tvárnost

Tvárnost is a Czech noun describing the quality of a face or portrait to convey emotions and character. It can refer to facial expressiveness—the degree to which facial muscles communicate inner states—as well as to the overall appearance or countenance of a person or figure in a portrait. The term is used in art, literary description, theatre, and psychology to discuss how much information about mood, intention, or personality is readable from the face.

Etymology and related forms: tvárnost is formed from the base tvář (face) with the suffix -nost, which denotes a state or quality. The cognate Slovak word is tvárnosť. The concept is closely linked with ideas of expression, appearance, and recognizability of a person through facial features.

Usage and contexts: In art criticism and portraiture, tvárnost refers to how effectively the sitter’s inner life or personality is suggested by facial features and expressions. In performing arts, it describes the expressive power of an actor’s face in conveying emotion. In psychology and social communication, researchers might discuss facial cues and their contribution to perceived sincerity, warmth, or threat, which relate to tvárnost.

Limits: Tvárnost is not equivalent to technical skill or gait alone; it emphasizes the communicative value of the face and its perceptible expressiveness. It can be discussed descriptively in evaluating portraits, character portrayal, or social interaction.

See also: tvář (face), tvářnost as a concept in aesthetics and portraiture, Slovak tvárnosť.