The Face of Bach

Posted by Sarah Canice Funke Mar 15, 2008

Forensic artists at the Dundee University offer classical music fans a different face for German composer J.S. Bach (1685-1750). Typically, biographies of the 18th century composer use a portrait of J.S. Bach that depicts the composer as a stern, wigged and large-nosed individual, a bit dusty and far removed from the 21st century.

However, the artists in Scotland have made the Baroque composer seem a little more lifelike. Taking a bronze cast of Bach's skull and scanning it with a laser, the forensic artists were able to use his bone structure to digitally construct facial muscles and skin. Historical records (such as the fact that Bach had eye problems and swollen eyelids) helped to fill in the details. According to the Centre for Forensic and Medical Art's Dr. Caroline Wilkinson, the face is as complete as current science and records can make it.

The completed face will travel from Scotland to Eisenach, Germany (Bach's hometown) where it will go on display in the Bachhaus museum.

To see the recreation of Bach's face or for more information, please read the BBC article.