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Photo of Mozart's Widow Found
BBC News ^
| July 6, 2006
| BBC News
Posted on 07/09/2006 4:27:56 AM PDT by Paladin2b
A print of the only photograph of Mozart's widow, Constanze Weber, has been found in Germany.
The photograph was taken in 1840 in the Bavarian town of Altoetting when she was 78. She died two years later.
The local authorities say detailed examination has proved the authenticity of the image, which is a copy of the original daguerreotype.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died at the age of 36 in 1791, when Constanze was 29. She later married a Danish diplomat.
The print is one of the earliest examples of photography in Bavaria. It was found in the town archives.
The daguerreotype was taken at the home of the Swiss composer Max Keller, whom Constanze used to visit regularly.
Mozart and Constanze had six children in their nine-year marriage. Only two of them survived past childhood.
The daguerreotype shows Constanze at front left, next to Max Keller. His wife Josefa is on the right. Behind them are (from the right): their daughters Josefa and Luise, Max Keller's brother-in-law Philipp Lattner and the family's cook. They are outside the Keller family's house.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: austria; bavaria; classicalmusic; historic; mozart; music; photography
Maybe this doesn't mean much, despite being (I think) newssworthy. But I just think it is a remarkable thing: a kind of tangible "new media" link to an 18th century composer, in a way. It can help remind us that the past is sometimes closer than we think: who on this past Independence Day thought of 7/4/1776 as "maybe only three human lifetimes ago" instead of "230 years ago"?
1
posted on
07/09/2006 4:27:58 AM PDT
by
Paladin2b
To: Paladin2b
2
posted on
07/09/2006 4:31:59 AM PDT
by
leadpenny
To: leadpenny
Good catch. Moderator, please delete.
3
posted on
07/09/2006 4:36:34 AM PDT
by
Paladin2b
To: Paladin2b
my goodness. are we so devoid of content that we're doing reruns of the mozart's widow photo?
To: the invisib1e hand
Actually, it's a different source and a good story. I was just indexing.
5
posted on
07/09/2006 4:57:46 AM PDT
by
leadpenny
To: the invisib1e hand
reruns of the mozart's widow photoGood. I missed the first showing.
6
posted on
07/09/2006 5:14:06 AM PDT
by
Right Wing Assault
("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
To: Right Wing Assault; All
Search "daguerreotype" for more photos taken with this process. They are very interesting.
7
posted on
07/09/2006 5:19:18 AM PDT
by
Las Vegas Dave
("Liberals out of power are comical-Liberals in power are dangerous!"-Rush Limbaugh.)
To: Las Vegas Dave
What? Black or dark brown hair at 78?
To: Paladin2b
Very interesting. Thanks.
9
posted on
07/09/2006 7:20:45 AM PDT
by
mtbopfuyn
(I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
To: Paladin2b
10
posted on
07/09/2006 7:46:03 AM PDT
by
the_daug
To: Right Wing Assault
she didn't get more beautiful.
To: the invisib1e hand
Yeah, those folks had some noses!
12
posted on
07/09/2006 5:25:19 PM PDT
by
Right Wing Assault
("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
To: Right Wing Assault
look like a happy lot, don't they?
To: the invisib1e hand
look like a happy lot, don't they? Very long exposure times meant they could not smile without ending up with blurry lips.
14
posted on
07/09/2006 7:34:54 PM PDT
by
Polybius
To: Paladin2b; Thinkin' Gal
The daguerreotype shows Constanze at front left, next to Max Keller. His wife Josefa is on the right. What was his wife, one hundred and nine? Krikey! Me thinks something's not right here....
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