Science

NJCher

(39,215 posts) Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:27 PM Mar 1

Mozart's true face is revealed for the first time in 230 YEARS

snip

In 1962, musicologist Alfred Einstein wrote: 'No earthly remains of Mozart survived save a few wretched portraits, no two of which are alike.'

But now the face of the famous classical musician may be revealed at last, after a skull attributed to him was used to rebuild his likeness.

Cicero Moraes, an expert in the field of forensic facial reconstructions, said he learned of the skull by sheer luck while engaged in another project.

He said: 'Our team has been working for over a decade on facial approximations, occasionally helping police forensic teams and constantly reconstructing historical figures.

snip

Link to more.

13 replies

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Highlight:

Mozart's true face is revealed for the first time in 230 YEARS (Original Post) NJCher Mar 1 OP

That doesn't look like Tom Hulce at all. louis-t Mar 1 #1

Tom NJCher Mar 1 #4

I almost didn't watch the movie wryter2000 Mar 1 #7

I've read some bios NJCher Mar 1 #10

Mozart portrait NJCher Mar 1 #2

Painted 28 years after his death, probably not very accurate. Ocelot II Mar 1 #5

That's the one I'm most familiar with wryter2000 Mar 1 #6

I wonder wryter2000 Mar 1 #3

the story tells NJCher Mar 1 #9

He was buried in a commoner 's grave. John1956PA Mar 1 #11

this sculpture is close to the reconstruction NJCher Mar 1 #8

This message was self-deleted by its author Marcuse Mar 1 #12

Moe who? Marcuse Mar 1 #12

louis-t

(24,027 posts)

1. That doesn't look like Tom Hulce at all.

Reply to NJCher (Original post)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:28 PM

Mar 1

NJCher

(39,215 posts)

4. Tom

Reply to louis-t (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:33 PM

Mar 1

wryter2000

(47,756 posts)

7. I almost didn't watch the movie

Reply to NJCher (Reply #4)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:37 PM

Mar 1

Because he looked so stupid in that wig.

NJCher

(39,215 posts)

10. I've read some bios

Reply to wryter2000 (Reply #7)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:41 PM

Mar 1

and apparently he had a somewhat silly personality. Well, not even somewhat. Giggly and kinda' goofy. Not what we would like to think of in a great composer. I always thought that was why he was portrayed this way in some movies and documentaries.

NJCher

(39,215 posts)

2. Mozart portrait

Reply to NJCher (Original post)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:31 PM

Mar 1

Ocelot II

(123,563 posts)

5. Painted 28 years after his death, probably not very accurate.

Reply to NJCher (Reply #2)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:33 PM

Mar 1

wryter2000

(47,756 posts)

6. That's the one I'm most familiar with

Reply to NJCher (Reply #2)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:34 PM

Mar 1

It's similar to the OP.

wryter2000

(47,756 posts)

3. I wonder

Reply to NJCher (Original post)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:33 PM

Mar 1

How they attributed a skull as his. He was thrown into a paper's grave with other folks, wasn't he?

NJCher

(39,215 posts)

9. the story tells

Reply to wryter2000 (Reply #3)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 01:39 PM

Mar 1

exactly how they did it. Really interesting. Check link.

John1956PA

(3,813 posts)

11. He was buried in a commoner 's grave.

Reply to wryter2000 (Reply #3)

Sat Mar 1, 2025, 02:06 PM

Mar 1

No markers were used for commoners' graves (at least not usually). After ten years or more, a decedent's grave would be dug up and the bones removed. The plot could then be reused to bury another body.