Mortuary Mask of the Unknown of the Seine.

Mortuary Mask of the Unknown Woman of the Seine, a true object of fascination for art lovers and history enthusiasts.

Characteristics of the "Unknown" Mask:

• Height:  cm.
• Material: Patinated white plaster.
• Other available materials: Resin, reconstituted stone.
• Available patinas: Bronze, terracotta, marble, wood, polychrome, gilded, stone, or diorite. Please contact us to inquire about the price of our patinas (variable depending on the desired color).

Handcrafted reproduction entirely made and hand-patinated.

In stock.

Discover the legend of the Sleeping Beauty.

The Unknown Woman of the Seine, also known as "The Unknown" or "The Sleeping Beauty," refers to an unidentified young woman whose body was found in the Seine in Paris in the late 19th century.

Legend has it that her face was so tranquil and beautiful that she appeared to be asleep, hence her nickname "The Sleeping Beauty." Her body was displayed in the Paris morgue, and her face caught the attention of a doctor who was captivated by her beauty.

It is said that the doctor was inspired by the face of the unknown woman and created a mortuary plaster mask of her face. This mask was later reproduced and sold as an art object. The face of the unknown woman also served as inspiration for many artists and writers of the time.

A faithful reproduction that pays tribute to this enigmatic figure that left a mark in history and in the collective imagination.

The face of the Unknown Woman of the Seine, frozen in time, has become a symbol of eternal beauty and fascination. It has inspired numerous artists and writers who have sought to capture its unique expression and explore the issues of beauty, death, and human fascination. The Unknown Woman of the Seine has thus become a cultural icon, eliciting both admiration and contemplation about the nature of life and mortality.

Although the identity of the Unknown Woman of the Seine remains a mystery, her face has become an emblematic and symbolic figure of beauty and mystery. Her story has fueled much speculation and inspired literary and artistic works over the years. Today, her mask continues to be reproduced and sold as a decorative object.

The Unknown Woman of the Seine has been a source of inspiration for numerous artists and writers throughout history.

Her enigmatic face and mysterious legend have been immortalized in works of art and literature, such as the famous "Mondmasker" or "The Mask of Life."

Renowned artists and writers have turned to the story of the Unknown Woman of the Seine to create captivating representations of this enigmatic figure.

Some examples of these most celebrated writers and artists in history include:

• Albert Camus: French writer Albert Camus used the image of the Unknown Woman of the Seine in his novel "The Fall." The main character of the novel, Jean-Baptiste Clamence, refers to the Unknown Woman of the Seine, using her face as a metaphor for beauty and tragedy.
• Rainer Maria Rilke: Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke was also influenced by the Unknown Woman of the Seine. He references her in his poem "The Sleeping Beauty," expressing fascination with her face and eternal beauty.
• Man Ray: The famous photographer and surrealist artist Man Ray created a series of photographs titled "The Unknown Woman of the Seine" in 1926. These photos feature mannequins with masks inspired by the face of the Unknown Woman.
• Erik Satie: French composer Erik Satie composed a piece of music titled "The Sleeping Beauty," inspired by the Unknown Woman of the Seine. This musical composition evokes the beauty and mystery surrounding her story.
• Jean Cocteau: The renowned French writer and artist Jean Cocteau was also influenced by the Unknown Woman of the Seine. He used her image in his film "Orpheus" (1950), where the main character encounters death and becomes captivated by her beauty.

These examples represent only a fraction of the artists and writers who have been inspired by the Unknown Woman of the Seine. Her face has continued to captivate the collective imagination and has left a lasting impact in the fields of art and literature.