Lombroso’s criminal face across physiognomy and semeiotics

Abstract

Abstract The paper examines the origins of physiognomy through analysis of the work of one of its founding fathers, Cesare Lombroso. The most interesting facet of Lombroso’s studies on the criminal face is how it can be considered as a true semeiotics. Although the Italian doctor’s supposed discoveries cannot be defined as scientific, his quantitative approach constitutes an important case study, since he tries to establish pertinences between facial features and criminal subjects’ features. It can be observed how Lombroso’s approach and theories are actually within a particular rationale that semiotics of culture can clarify from the perspective of the way in which specific facial features become commonly shared stereotypes.