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For centuries, death masks have been used to preserve the final image of the deceased. This tradition dates back to ancient Egypt, where masks were placed on mummies to guide the soul into the afterlife. In medieval and Renaissance Europe, they became a way to memorialize royalty, military leaders, and famous figures before the invention of photography. How Were Death Masks Made? Right after death, a mixture of wax or plaster was applied to the face to create a mold. Once hardened, this mold was used to cast a lifelike replica, capturing the person's exact facial features, sometimes including wrinkles and expressions. Some were later turned into sculptures, portraits, or even study models for artists and medical students. Others simply remained eerie reminders of the person’s final moments. Three Women, Three Tragic Fates 🔹 Marie Antoinette – Guillotined in 1793 during the French Revolution. Her death mask was reportedly made by Madame Tussaud herself immediately after the execution. 🔹 Mary, Queen of Scots – Beheaded in 1587, her execution requiring three strikes of the axe. A replica of her death mask is kept in Lindsay Tower, Scotland. 🔹 Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) – Assassinated in 1898, stabbed in the heart by an anarchist. Her death mask is displayed in the Imperial Carriage Museum, Vienna. These masks serve as haunting remnants of history—final portraits of lives cut short.