Book&Art: "Bones, brains, mummies and hair" by Antonio Castronuovo

Written by Tiziana Pasciuto

Translated by Sarah Fortunée Tabbakh

Italian Version here

I accidentally found this book in my library thanks to my father who, on his way to work, had once listened to an interview with the author on the radio. It is one of my favourite essays of all time, because it addresses anecdotes and fun facts about historical figures, and especially about some of their anatomical “parts”!

As the title already suggests, the author meticulously – and sometimes grotesquely – describes the anecdotes and episodes related to the anatomical parts of famous people, amongst which Einstein’s brain, Lenin’s mummy, Beethoven’s hair, and Mozart’s skull. He even refers to an attentive analysis of the controversial process of plastination, an issue that, although topical, is little known. 

The common thread is the concept of “profane relic” that is clearly addressed in the book, and that recalls the frantic search and subsequent possession and idolatry of the “sacred relic”, usually connected to the religious sphere. 

A frenzied scientific research also links these two concepts, and is implemented in order to understand “unfathomable mysteries”. The relentlessness and determination science showed during the dissection of Einstein’s brain, hoping to find the spark of his genius, reminds me of the studies that had been carried out in order to understand the phenomenon of the liquefaction of St. Januarius’ blood, as if they were two sides of the same coin. 

I believe I have aroused your curiosity, but, in case I haven’t been able to do so quite yet, let me ask you a question: do you know why a significant quantity of lead was found in Beethoven’s hair? 

If I were you, I would hurry and read the book! 

A. Castronuovo, Ossa, cervelli, mummie e capelli, Collana Compagnia Extra, Editore Quodlibet, 2016: https://www.ibs.it/ossa-cervelli-mummie-capelli-libro-antonio-castronuovo/e/9788874628094