Death Mask. by blinkings
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Ned Kelly's death mask. Part of an exhibition I visited last week. Death does not lie, so death masks – a cast of the face in wax or plaster, taken just hours after breath has gone – promise truthful representations of the departed. In an era before photography, these masks give us each beauty and blemish, a living presence in unchanging material.

Comments (14)
Bloody hell. Never heard of that before.
Fascinating!
Sjikes where is his hair. Stunning capture my friend.
He looks quite happy about his situation, You would think he would have a 'deadpan' look.
Peaceful in death....so they say.. Great shot and find mate! They have some of these sort of things at Tussuad's at London if I recall.. Crippen etc.. Rob
What a great way to preserve someone's image. I have always been fascinated by the way the old West would prop up their dead on planks on the street and take photos of them. This is even better.
Very good capture!
waxily eerie
Not only is this an amazing piece of art, but your foto gives it a most wonderful look. I've heard of these, but this is the first time I've seen any kind of representation of one.
creepy. but very cool!
Really impressive capture! And love your little history lesson too. Sometimes, with famous personas, even after photography/death photos were a trend, death masks were still made. The amount of detail this one has is, really, quite amazing.
I've read about these death masks but never seen one. You find the coolest things. Wonderful capture. Dana
I wonder if this was made post autopsy as it looks like there is tape over an incision (or hole) high over the forehead. Neat shot. I always liked Martin Luther's mask ... for some reason.
Interesting!!!