Scientific facts of these images:

Pictures of people like portraits have been proven to have a profound effect on the brain. This effect is measurable neurologically, emotionally and cognitively and is linked to our basic social nature.

Portraits activate the Fusiform Facial Area (FFA) of the brain. The brain has a specialized area that recognizes faces - the fusiform facial area (part of the temporal lobe). Even stylized or abstract depictions of faces can activate this area.

When we see human gestures, emotions or movements in images, our brain can "feel" them as if we were experiencing them ourselves. This system is essential for empathy and social perception. It is called mirror neuron system.

Emotional centers (amygdala, limbic system) get also activated when we look at the pictur of a face.