Death masks, essentially casts taken from a cadaver, were typically made using a straightforward casting technique primarily involving plaster or wax.
The process for creating a death mask is fundamentally the same as making a life mask from a living person. It involves carefully creating a mold directly from the face of the deceased.
Here's a breakdown of the steps involved, based on traditional methods:
- Preparation: The face and head of the cadaver were first oiled or greased. This crucial step prevented the casting material from sticking to the skin, ensuring the mold could be removed cleanly and without damaging the features.
- Application of Material: Thin layers of plaster (or sometimes wax) were then applied directly onto the prepared face. Applying thin layers initially helped capture fine details accurately.
- Building the Mold: Additional layers of plaster were built up upon the initial thin layers. This process continued until the mold was sufficiently thick and rigid to hold its shape once removed.
Once the plaster hardened, the mold was carefully removed from the face. This negative mold could then be used to create a positive cast, which was the final death mask, often made from plaster, wax, or sometimes other materials like bronze.
These historical artifacts provide a direct physical likeness of individuals, offering a unique connection to historical figures and everyday people alike. They differ from life masks solely in that they are taken post-mortem, capturing the final appearance of the individual.