Death masks date back to ancient Egypt, where creating a sculpted mask to put on the deceased's face was very fashionable. Many famous names have had their faces cast, like actor James Dean.
James Dean —
Death masks date back to ancient Egypt, where creating a sculpted mask to put on the deceased's face was very fashionable. Many famous names have had their faces cast, like actor James Dean.
Brian Cahn/ZUMA/Newscom
Because of its date and facial resemblance, this death mask was thought to be that of the English writer William Shakespeare. An alternative theory, however, suggests that the mask is more likely to be that of the British poet Ben Johnson.
William Shakespeare (maybe) —
Because of its date and facial resemblance, this death mask was thought to be that of the English writer William Shakespeare. An alternative theory, however, suggests that the mask is more likely to be that of the British poet Ben Johnson.
Courtesy Hulton Archive / Stringer
The story of the famous death mask of L'inconnue de la Seine was that her body was retrieved from the river Seine in Paris in the 1870s or 1880s. She'd apparently drowned herself. An attendant at the morgue was apparently so moved by her beauty and youth that he ordered a plaster mold of her face.
L'Inconnue de la Seine —
The story of the famous death mask of L'inconnue de la Seine was that her body was retrieved from the river Seine in Paris in the 1870s or 1880s. She'd apparently drowned herself. An attendant at the morgue was apparently so moved by her beauty and youth that he ordered a plaster mold of her face.
Public Domain
German born pianist and composer Ludwig van Beethoven was another famous face to be cast after his death.
Ludwig van Beethoven —
German born pianist and composer Ludwig van Beethoven was another famous face to be cast after his death.
Courtesy Imagno / Contributor
The bronze death mask of explorer Napoleon Bonaparte was sold for a staggering £175,000 (about $230,000) in 2013.
Napoleon Bonaparte —
The bronze death mask of explorer Napoleon Bonaparte was sold for a staggering £175,000 (about $230,000) in 2013.
Courtesy Heritage Images / Contributor
As the name suggests, a life mask is cast while the subject is still living. Like this life mask of printmaker and poet William Blake.
William Blake —
As the name suggests, a life mask is cast while the subject is still living. Like this life mask of printmaker and poet William Blake.
Courtesy Hulton Archive / Stringer
The romantic poet John Keats had his death mask cast shortly after his death in 1821.
John Keats —
The romantic poet John Keats had his death mask cast shortly after his death in 1821.
Courtesy Keats-Shelley House, Rome.
The artist behind some of the world's most famous paintings, Gustav Klimt, also had his death mask made shortly after his passing.
Gustav Klimt —
The artist behind some of the world's most famous paintings, Gustav Klimt, also had his death mask made shortly after his passing.
Courtesy Imagno / Contributor
Cast by artist Nick Reynolds, John Joe "Ash" Amador's death mask was done straight after his execution for murder on death row.
John Joe "Ash" Amador —
Cast by artist Nick Reynolds, John Joe "Ash" Amador's death mask was done straight after his execution for murder on death row.
Courtesy Nick Reynolds
Reynolds was involved in protests against the death penalty in the US, and said that Amador's body was "still warm" and "the skin came out in goose bumps" as the mold was applied.
John Joe "Ash" Amador —
Reynolds was involved in protests against the death penalty in the US, and said that Amador's body was "still warm" and "the skin came out in goose bumps" as the mold was applied.
Courtesy Nick Reynolds
Can you create a death or life mask without actually using a human face? You can, according to Neri Oxman, the artist behind this piece created with the help of 3D printing.
"Vespers" by Neri Oxman —
Can you create a death or life mask without actually using a human face? You can, according to Neri Oxman, the artist behind this piece created with the help of 3D printing.
Courtesy Neri Oxman/ Stratasys
"Each mask represents an imaginary martyr going through a metamorphosis from life to death or death to life," said Oxman of the computer-designed series.
"Vespers" by Neri Oxman —
"Each mask represents an imaginary martyr going through a metamorphosis from life to death or death to life," said Oxman of the computer-designed series.
Courtesy Neri Oxman/ Stratasys