JOYCE, James: Death Mask

JOYCE, James. Death Mask. Bronze, on wooden wall mount with brass plate. JOYCE, James.  "The mask is a copy of the original made by Swiss artist, Paul Speck shortly after the death of the famous author in 1941. In the early hours of January 13, 1941 James Joyce died in a Swiss hospital. His wife Nora, son Giorgio, and friend Carola Giedion-Welcker rushed to his bedside, but arrived moments too late. Perhaps as a means of assuaging their grief, Giedion-Welcker suggested to Nora Joyce that a death mask be made of her husband. Nora consented and the sculptor Paul Speck was commissioned by Giedion-Welker. Speck made two plaster negatives of Joyce's visage either later in the day on the 13th or the following day.