title: Life masks and death masks.
abstract: The death of a relative or anyone in a small, tightly knit community with closely shared cultural and religious values has great social impact. As part of the grieving process, people wish to preserve the memory of a loved one or a community leader. Life masks and death masks have been used as art forms to mark life passages, offering permanent reminders of family and continuity with the past. This article discusses the history and technique of life and death masks and their role in 19th-century American culture.
authors.affiliation: West Point Museum, NY.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meschutt
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Taff
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Boglioli
mesh_terms: D005655:Funeral Rites / Q000266:history*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D012613:Sculpture / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States