Explore how deeply you can relax—by tensing each muscle in your body. This unusual exercise builds on Franz Xaver Messerschmidt’s The Vexed Man (1771–83), a sculpture of a man with an exaggerated facial expression.

From the protruding veins in the neck to the deeply furrowed brow, this alabaster sculpture captures the vexed expression of a middle-aged man. Part of a series of 49 sculptures created by Messerschmidt during the last 13 years of his life, each bust depicts a different, often extreme, emotion.

During the Enlightenment, when this sculpture was made, there was a growing fascination with the human condition and many sought to understand it. Studying the face, as Messerschmidt did with this series, was one approach.

It is human instinct to respond to facial expressions; particularly when assessing danger, trust, pain, or pleasure. Bring awareness to the intricacy and subtlety of your own muscle movements through this guided progressive muscle relaxation (PMR).

PMR is not recommended if a person has a history of serious injuries, muscle spasms, or back problems, as the deliberate tensing of muscles could exacerbate any of these pre-existing conditions. Please consult with your doctor before practicing this meditation if you have concerns.

See the painting in person at the Getty Center and learn more about this work on the collection page.

This podcast uses chapters. If you'd like to jump straight to the meditation, find the fifth chapter.

You can watch this episode on YouTube here: https://gty.art/4wZysOS

Find images, a transcript, and more resources on our website: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/progressive-muscle-relaxation-exercise-vexed-man/

See the painting in person at the Getty Center: https://www.getty.edu/visit/

How does Māori haka channel strong emotion? Māori cultural practitioner Amelia Butler explains in this week's Deeper Dive. Find it in your podcast feed, our YouTube channel, or on our website this Thursday.

Production team:

Host: Lilit Sadoyan

Producers: Zoe Goldman and Gideon Brower

Video Editor: Jeremy Rhodes

Mixer and Sound Designer: Jaime Roque

Executive Producer: Christopher Sprinkle

For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcasts

Recording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/
If Objects Could Talk is a family-friendly show where Getty museum objects, like a Greek vase or porcelain clock, come alive to share their story: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/if-objects-could-talk/
ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/
Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/

Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world.

Learn more about all we do for art on our website:

Getty: https://www.getty.edu/
Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/
Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/
Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/
Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/