zoom_in Click to enlarge

Napoleon's Death Mask

▲ ▼

description Napoleon's Death Mask Overview

Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821, during his second exile on the South Atlantic island of Saint Helena. A death mask was cast shortly after his death, though competing claims exist regarding who made the original mold—most commonly attributed to Dr. François Carlo Antommarchi, who served as Napoleon's physician. Multiple plaster copies of the mask were distributed and are now held in collections worldwide, including the Musée de l'Armée in Paris.

The mask remains one of the most recognizable funerary relics of a European head of state.

help Napoleon's Death Mask FAQ

Where did Napoleon Bonaparte die, leading to the creation of his death mask?

Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821, during his second exile on the remote South Atlantic island of Saint Helena. It was shortly after his death there that a mold for his death mask was created.

Who made Napoleon's original death mask?

There are competing historical claims regarding who made the original mold, but it is most commonly attributed to Dr. François Carlo Antommarchi. Other accounts suggest his attending physician, Dr. Francis Burton, also played a role in the creation of the masks.

Are there many copies of Napoleon's death mask in existence?

Yes, because the original mold was used to cast several plaster copies, numerous authentic reproductions of Napoleon's death mask exist today. They are housed in various museums and private collections around the world.

Why are there different looking versions of Napoleon's death mask?

The differences in appearance among the masks are due to the competing claims and separate molds potentially taken by different doctors shortly after his death. The variations in the plaster casting process over the centuries have also led to distinct versions.

swap_horiz

Looking for Napoleon's Death Mask alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward