Mozart’s only photograph found

The only print of a photograph of Mozart’s widow, Constanze Weber has been discovered in Germany taken in the Bavarian town of Aloetting when she was 78 years old. Constanze died two years later. The local authorities in the town’s archives say with detailed examinations conducted, the photograph to be authentic. The print is one of the earliest examples of photography in Bavaria. This daguerreotype of pie was taken at the home of Max Keller, the Swiss composer whom Constanze used to visit regularly. Even the Bavarian authorities confirm the copy to be of the original daguerreotype, considered very infinite during that era.

This is the one and only rare picture showing Mozart’s widow, Constanze. She is seated next to composer, Max Keller. His wife Josefa is on the right. Behind them are, their daughters, Josefa and Luise, Max Keller’s brother-in-law, Phillip Lattner and the family’s cook outside the Keller mansion

The picture taken outside the Keller’s family mansion, show Constanze at front row on left, seated next to Max Keller and his wife Josefa. The picture is already being bid for enormous prices but Bavaria would have nothing to do with bidding and plans to hold it in their archives.

Mozart who died very young burdened and sat upon by a domineering father of whose music historians differ whether Mozart senior nurtured his son’s genius or exploited his talent.

The truth could be both judging by the events that impacted his short, innocent life. It made him withdraw and turn into an introvert.

He was always plodded over by his father when both went over to Munich, accompanied by his equally talented sister. The Austrian capitol was already buzzing with news about the amazing Mozart siblings. Mozart had a very unhappy childhood because he was never given to relaxation that other children of his age enjoyed. Instead, along with his stern father, it was a succession of long stagecoach journeys with weeks spent in lodging houses in Paris, the Hague and London. These tiresome effects on his young and tender life, could have been the reasons for his short life. Yet, Mozart loved his father.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in 1791 following a fit of delirium and also probably from uraemia but above all, strong speculation had it that he would have been possibly poisoned by a jealous rival or even as a result of a Masonic conspiracy because Mozart was a Freemason. He was barely 35 years of age when he died.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

With his phenomenal rise to fame and wealth, he had made many enemies purely for these reasons. Mozart never crossed any one’s path. He was gentle and respectful of others, especially other composers of his time. Some of those who hurt him were never even known to him. After completing some of his teenage operas, he continued touring with his mother in 1777. In Mannheim, he met and made friends with the Weber family and fell in love with one of the daughters, Aloysia. Mozart composed many symphonies, especially Symphony No. 13, now popularly known as the Paris Symphony. He also scored some ballet music. Tragically, his father dies when they were in Paris where Mozart found his father breathing hot air over him. With this ceasing, Mozart remained in Vienna, striking a friendship with Hayden while renewing his association with the Webers.

Weber played a major role in his life and was heart-broken when he heard that Aloysia had run off with an actor. Coming to terms with this devastating situation, he was comforted by her younger sister, Constanze who tried to bring back the joy he had just lost. Mozart fell in love all over again with Constanze whom he married in 1782 much to the fury of his arrogant father, Leopold Mozart. He regarded the Webers as little more than dissolute bohemians and Constanze not worthy enough for his genius son. He felt she was not capable of keeping pace with him and incapable or organising the rudiments of life.

However between 1782 and 1790, Mozart gained immense popularity and commanded great success both with his operas and concert performances.

Constanze was only 29 when Mozart died and in their nine year marriage, they had six children. Only two of them survived past childhood. To the end Constanze was faithful to him. After his death, she married a Danish diplomat.

..................................

<< Artscope Main Page