was regularly drained by a barber surgeon in the final months of the composer’s life. Beethoven: life mask (c.1812). The mask was taken by sculptor Franz Klein after being commissioned by the ...

A new analysis of Beethoven’s hair has shown the composer experienced lead poisoning toward the end of his life. He died at age 56 in 1827. Tests revealed incredibly elevated levels of lead ...

L udwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a prodigious composer, credited with 722 works that pushed the boundaries of music and ushered in the Romantic era. Yet, his personal life was marred by ...