A morbid souvenir
In the aftermath of Ludwig van Beethoven’s passing in 1827, those in his proximity undertook a peculiar action: they severed portions of his hair. Such an act might have been motivated by a desire to possess a tangible memory, a somber keepsake, of the musical genius they so revered. Today, with our contemporary sensibilities, the cutting of hair from a deceased person may seem unsettling or even macabre.
However, during Beethoven’s era, this ritualistic act of remembrance was not as bizarre as it might appear to our modern-day mindset. Moreover, this very act has paved the way for recent historians and researchers to gain unprecedented insights into Beethoven’s life, health, and potential ailments, further augmenting our understanding of this musical titan.