18. Joyce’s death mask

This death mask is a copy of one cast from Joyce’s face on the day he died. When Joyce and his family moved to Zurich in December 1940 they were assisted by Carola Giedion-Welcker and others. Shortly after his arrival, Joyce complained of stomach cramps and was operated on for a perforated ulcer. He died of peritonitis two days later on 13 January 1941. Carola Giedion-Welcker arranged for the sculptor Paul Speck to make casts from Joyce’s face for a death mask. Giedion-Welcker ordered two casts, but it may be that more than two were made, and some copies of the originals were also made in the 1950s. One of the originals was given to Michael Scott who helped establish the Joyce Museum at the Martello Tower at Sandycove, and the mask is on view there today.

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The James Joyce Center

The James Joyce Cultural Centre is situated in a stunning Georgian townhouse, offering visitors historical and biographical information about James Joyce and his influence in literature. We host walking tours, exhibitions, workshops and lectures for visitors with a casual interest and Joycean experts alike. See the door to the famous No 7 Eccles Street from “Ulysses”, a recreation of his living quarters in Paris, art exhibitions and more which bring the author and his works to life.