Death Masks of the Famous and Infamous

Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794)

Photo Credits: Abroadintheyard

Maximilien Robespierre was a French lawyer and politician, as well as one of the best-known and most influential people associated with the French revolution and more specifically the Reign of Terror. He was an advocate for the poor and for democratic institutions and campaigned for universal male suffrage, the abolishment of slavery, price controls and more. He was against the death penalty but helped in the execution of King Louis XVI. During the Reign of Terror, in 1794 he was executed by the guillotine and a mask was made of his face. However, Robespierre’s jaw was shattered the day before his execution in a possible suicide attempt which isn’t entirely visible in the mask leaving its authenticity up for debate.