About the object
In honour of Bloomsday, this week’s Monday Musings reflects on a hauntingly beautiful piece from the Hunt Collection — a silver copy of the death-mask of James Joyce (1882–1941).
Created in the 20th century, this striking sculpture captures Joyce’s features in stillness, offering a powerful and intimate connection to one of Ireland’s most celebrated literary figures. Cast in silver, the mask measures 25 cm in height and 17.8 cm in width, its polished surface lending a quiet dignity to Joyce’s likeness.
Death-masks have long served as a means to memorialise notable individuals, preserving the details of their features for posterity. This particular copy was taken from the original and now forms part of the Hunt Collection, a poignant reminder of Joyce’s enduring legacy.
About James Joyce & Bloomsday
Born in Dublin in 1882, Joyce is best known for works such as Ulysses and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, writings that continue to challenge, provoke, and inspire readers around the world. Like the layered narratives of his novels, this sculpture hints at the many facets of Joyce’s character — intellectual giant, restless exile, and keen observer of the human condition.
Bloomsday is an annual celebration held on 16 June, commemorating the life and work of James Joyce and, in particular, his landmark novel Ulysses. The date marks the single day in 1904 on which the events of Ulysses take place, following the wanderings of its protagonist, Leopold Bloom, through the streets of Dublin.
The day was chosen by Joyce himself, as 16 June 1904 was the date of his first outing with Nora Barnacle, who would later become his wife.