Napoleon’s Death Mask
Napoleon’s Death Mask – Napoleon’s Death Mask is a marble cast mold of the face of Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte. Much mystery and controversy surrounds the origins and whereabouts of the most original cast moulds. There are only four genuine death masks known to exist.
Napoleon’s original death mask was created on May 7, 1821, just a day and a half after Napoleon Bonaparte died on the island of St. Helena at age 51. Surrounding his deathbed were doctors from France and the UK.
During the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, custom was to cast a death mask or mould of a great leader who had recently died. A mixture of wax or plaster was carefully placed over Napoleon’s face and removed after the form had hardened. From this impression, subsequent copies were cast.
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