The Facial approximation of the controversial skull attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)

Cicero Moraes; Jiří Šindelář; Michael E. Habicht; Luca Sineo; Thiago Beaini; Elena Varotto; Francesco Maria Galassi

doi:10.18778/1898-6773.87.4.06

Authors

Cicero Moraes Arc-Team Brazil, Sinop-MT, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9479-0028
Jiří Šindelář Surveyor, GEO-CZ, Tábor-Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9771-669X
Michael E. Habicht Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Luca Sineo Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Department of Cultures and Socities, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Thiago Beaini Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia-MG, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0034-624X
Elena Varotto Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Department of Cultures and Socities, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6637-9402
Francesco Maria Galassi Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8902-3142

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1898-6773.87.4.06

Keywords:

anatomy, anthropology, artificial intelligence, facial approximation, 3D reconstruction, Mozart

Abstract

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) is considered as one of the greatest composers of the Classical Period of music (ca. 1750–1820). Gifted with an unparalleled precocity, which allowed him to play and compose at the highest levels from a very young age, he continued his studies until the end of his life. Despite his prominent status, he was buried in a collective grave and years later his skull was supposedly recovered, reaching the present day surrounded by an atmosphere of mystery and controversy. This study, using a free, open-source, multiplatform software and the available published material, independently seeks to approximate the face of this skull and compare it with previous publications and portraits painted during the composer’s lifetime.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdullah JY, Moraes C, Saidin M, Rajion ZA, Hadi H, Shahidan S, Abdullah JM. 2022. Forensic Facial Approximation of 5000-Year-Old Female Skull from Shell Midden in Guar Kepah, Malaysia. Appl Sci 12(15):7871. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157871 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157871

Baldasso RP, Moraes C, Gallardo E, Stumvoll MB, Crespo KC, Strapasson RAP, de Oliveira RN. 2020. 3D forensic facial approximation: Implementation protocol in a forensic activity. J Forensic Sci 66(1):383–388. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14587 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14587

Black A. 2012. Mozart’s Skull. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/university-mozarteum (accessed on October 4, 2024).

da Costa NR, Mancine L, Salvini R, Teixeira JM, Rodriguez RD, Leite REP, Nascimento C, Pasqualucci CA, Nitrini R, Jacob-Filho W, Lafer B, Grinberg LT, Suemoto CK, Nunes PV. 2022. Microcephaly measurement in adults and its association with clinical variables. Rev Saude Publica 56:38. https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056004175 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056004175

De Greef S, Claes P, Vandermeulen D, Mollemans W, Suetens P, Willems G. 2006. Large-scale in-vivo Caucasian facial soft tissue thickness database for craniofacial reconstruction. Forensic Sci Int 159: S126–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.02.034 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.02.034

Eng JE. 1906. Neuerlicher Zuwachs im Wohnzimmer der Familie Mozart. In: Mozarts Geburtshaus zu Salzburg, editor. Katalog des Mozart-Museums im Geburts- und Wohnzimmer Mozart’s zu Salzburg. Salzburg: Joh. Ev. Engl. 49–56.

Harding L. 2006. DNA detectives discover more skeletons in Mozart family closet. The Guardian. Online at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jan/09/arts.music (accessed on October 4, 2024).

Karhausen LR. 2001. The Mozarteum’s skull: a historical saga. J Med Biogr 9(2):109-117. https://doi.org/10.1177/096777200100900211 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/096777200100900211

Kritscher H, Szilvássy J, Vlček E, Hauser G, Poxleitner-Blasl H, Sekal C. 1989. Zur Identifizierung des Mozartschädels. Ann Naturhist Mus Serie A 93:1–139.

Moraes C, Gravalos R, Machado CR, Chilvarquer I, Curi J, Beaini TL. 2022. Investigação de Preditores Anatômicos para o Posicionamento dos Globos Oculares, Asas Nasais, Projeção dos Lábios e Outros a partir da Estrutura do Crânio. Unpublished pre-print. figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.19686294

Moraes C, Sobral DS, Mamede A, Beaini TL. 2021. Sistema Complementar de Projeção Nasal em Reconstruções/Aproximações Faciais Forenses. Unpublished pre-print. figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.17209379

Moraes C, Dornelles R, Rosa ED. 2021. Sistema de Reconstrução de Tomografia Computadorizada Baseado no Slicer 3D e no DicomToMesh. Unpublished preprint. figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.13513890

Moraes C, Suharschi I. 2022. Mensuração de Dados Faciais Ortográficos em Moldavos e Comparação com Outras Populações. Unpublished pre-print. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.20089754.v1

Moraes C, Habicht ME, Galassi FM, Varotto E, Beaini T. 2023. Pharaoh Tutankhamun: a novel 3D digital facial approximation. Ital J Anat Embryol 127(1):13–22. https://doi.org/10.36253/ijae-14514 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/ijae-14514

Moraes C, Beaini TL. 2024. A Aproximação Facial do Controverso Crânio Atribuído a Nicolau Copérnico (1473–1543). Unpublished pre-print: figshare. 10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.25447210.

Moraes C, Galassi FM, Sineo L, Šindelář J, Varotto E, Mietlińska-Sauter J, Antunes- Ferreira N, Habicht ME, Beaini T. (2024). The Anatomical Bases of the 3D Digital Facial Approximation of the Zlatý kůň 1 Woman (ca. 43,000 BP). Anthropol Rev 87(2):85–97. https://doi.org/10.18778/1898-6773.87.2.04 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18778/1898-6773.87.2.04

Murray TJ. 1993. The skull of Mozart. Dalhousie Rev 73:246–251.

Pereira JGD, Magalhães LV, Costa PB, da Silva RHA. 2017. Reconstrução Facial Forense Tridimensional: Técnica Manual vs. Técnica Digital. Legal Rev Bras Odontol Leg 4(2):46–54. Legal. https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v4i2.111 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v4i2.111

Pinto RR, Almeida SMD, Chaves RBDN, Carvalho OAD, Machado MPS, Moraes C. 2020. Reconstrução Facial Forense de um Crânio Arqueológico com o ForensicOnBlender. Unpublished preprint. figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.12943418

Puech PF., Puech B, Tichy G, Cianfarani F, Albertini H. 1987. Les Dents de Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Bull Mém Soc Anthropol 4–3:207–212.

Puech PF, Puech B, Tichy G. 1989a. Identification of the cranium of W.A. Mozart. Forensic Sci Int 41(1–2):101–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/0379-0738(89)90241-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0379-0738(89)90241-7

Puech B, Puech PF, Tichy G, Dhellemmes P, Cianfarani F. 1989b. Craniofacial dysmorphism in Mozart’s skull. J Forensic Sci 34(2):487–490. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/JFS12663J

Puech B, Puech PF, Dhellemmes P, Pellerin P, Lepoutre F, Tichy G. 1989c. Did Mozart have a chronic extradural haematoma? Injury 20(6):327–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-1383(89)90004-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-1383(89)90004-1

Puech PF. 1991. Forensic scientists uncovering Mozart. J R Soc Medicine 84(6):387. https://doi.org/10.1177/014107689108400646 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/014107689108400646

Quatrehomme G, Cotin S, Subsol G, Delingette H, Garidel Y, Grévin G, Fidrich M, Bailet P, Ollier A. 1997. A fully three-dimensional method for facial reconstruction based on deformable models. J Forensic Sci 42(4):649–652. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/JFS14175J

Ritchie SJ, Cox SR, Shen X, Lombardo MV, Reus LM, Alloza C, et al. 2018. Sex Differences in the Adult Human Brain: Evidence from 5216 UK Biobank Participants. Cereb Cortex 28(8):2959–2975. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhy109 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhy109

Sadie S. 2024. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart (Accessed on October 4, 2024).

Stephan CN. 2015. Facial Approximation- From Facial Reconstruction Synonym to Face Prediction Paradigm. J Forensic Sci 60(3):566–571. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12732 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12732

Taylor KT. 2000. Forensic Art and Illustration. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420036954 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420036954

Wilkinson C. 2004. The Manchester Method of Facial Reconstruction. Forensic Facial Reconstruction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9781107340961.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107340961.008