16. Mortuary Mask of Queen Maria

The death mask of Queen Marie of Romania represents a piece with a strong memorial charge. It serves as a testament to Emil Wilhelm Becker's closeness to the Romanian Royal House. His relationship with the nobility of the 20th century was built through artistic orders and the trust granted in creating sensitive commemorative works, as is this death mask. As the sculptor's granddaughter confessed, the artist “had a deep admiration for Queen Maria, knew her closely, consulted with Her Majesty while working for the royal family, for Peleș, for Balcic and Cotroceni”. Becker's nomination to carry out such a work demonstrates both the recognition of his status on an artistic level and his closeness to the official circles of the era. The death mask made by Becker therefore dates from 1938, being created immediately after the queen's death, according to traditional practice. This type of object was obtained by applying a cast directly to the face of the deceased, to faithfully preserve his features. Historically, the mask has a special documentary value, as it offers an exact, non-idealized representation of the queen's face. It thus becomes an authentic source for historians, artists, and researchers interested in the real image of the historical personality. In addition to simple physical documentation, Queen's death mask consolidates the monarch's image in collective memory, marking the passage of an emblematic figure and contributing to the process of sacralizing the royal image. In the case of such a beloved and influential personality, the mask becomes a symbol of continuity, of respect for the past, and of a defining era for Romania.

Dimensions

depth 16 cm, width 16 cm, height 22 cm

Description

plaster, signed on the back, "E. W. BECKER, Sculp."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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