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Scots Build Replica of Bach's Head

Rendering is based on a cast, portrait, and papers from his time

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 1, 2008 8:40 PM CST
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(Newser) – Forensic artists have re-created Johann Sebastian Bach’s head based on a cast of his skull and documents from the composer’s time, the BBC reports. The model, built at Scotland’s Dundee University, is “the most complete face that can be built from the available reliable information,” including the cast, a single portrait, and papers describing his appearance, said one expert.

The piece also has character, said the director of the Bachhaus, a German museum that will house the head. “It's very dynamic, as if he's going to come up with something.”
When Bach admirers think of the 18th-century composer, “it's always this old man with a wig type of image,” he said. “I think it is interesting for fans to have something else, a real person.”

A statue of the composer J.S. Bach in Eisenach, where a new model of his head will be housed.
A statue of the composer J.S. Bach in Eisenach, where a new model of his head will be housed.   ((c) Matthew Black)
Forensic experts in Scotland have rebuilt the head of composer J.S. Bach based on information from his time.
Forensic experts in Scotland have rebuilt the head of composer J.S. Bach based on information from his time.   ((c) elgarydaly)
Forensic experts in Scotland used a bronze cast of Bach's skull to create a replica of the composer's head.
Forensic experts in Scotland used a bronze cast of Bach's skull to create a replica of the composer's head.   ((c) jrossol)
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More details from Dundee
University of Dundee

 
Germany • United Kingdom • classical music • Scotland • composer • Britain • forensic experts • Johann Sebastian Bach • Dundee University • Eisenach

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