Reconstructing the whole Richard (Was A suggestion (edward of Middle
Reconstructing the whole Richard (Was A suggestion (edward of Middle
2013-02-12 15:42:44
Johanne Tournier wrote:
>
> I would really like to see an articulation of the skeleton, and a reconstruction of clothed Richard, so we can see that his condition would scarcely have been visible when he was clothed. I know several people have expressed reluctance to see his unclothed form, but there might be some way to demonstrate the view from, say, the waist up from all angles without his shirt on. That would also demonstrate convincingly our motto: Scoliosis is not hunchback!
> They really do need to do something to show us the entire figure, I think.
Carol responds:
I agree, especially given the careless use of the term "hunchback" in the documentary on which traditionalists and those too lazy to consult a real biography so gleefully seized, including, unfortunately, a certain CBS reporter who has since, I hope, been enlightened. If people see what he really looked like (perhaps rather like that statue of Alexander the Great?), the hunchback myth should go away and we can start analyzing his actions and character instead of his appearance. (I wonder, BTW, whether younger actors will start playing Richard now that everyone knows how young he was.)
Regarding the lack of clothing, I agree that it's important to see him shirtless, as only Anne, his valet, and perhaps his physicians would have seen him before his death. There is, IMO, no point in full nakedness, which was appropriate in the Lucy and Nariokotome Boy reconstructions because nakedness was their normal state, but Richard would never have been publicly nude and we need to see the upper torso only because of the mythology surround. Since slender or "delicate" (not feminine) legs are part of one known description, perhaps he could wear joined hose and a codpiece. The feet could be modeled on those of any small man covered with period-correct shoes.
For the reconstructed skeleton, the missing feet might present more of a problem, but reconstructed skeletons from other species often substitute bones from a different individual of the same sex, size, and species, so I see nothing wrong with replicating the feet of those of another man with similar bone structure. They, and the sternum if it isn't found, could be made in a different color from the bones that actually belong to Richard. They could even put the missing teeth back in if they're found. (I assume, and hope, that the CT scans were made before the molar was pulled for DNA analysis.) I vaguely recall thinking that one of the lower leg bones, a tibia or fibula, was also missing, but if so that could be replicated by mirroring the same bone on the other side.
Does anyone know whether the team that reconstructed Lucy, Nariokotome Boy, and a Neanderthal have expressed interest in reconstructing Richard?
Side note: Richard appears to be "old news" here in the U.S. I haven't heard one word about him since February 4 outside the Internet. I suppose I should find a place that still sells magazines (other than the tabloids in the grocery aisle) and grab whatever I can find.
Carol
>
> I would really like to see an articulation of the skeleton, and a reconstruction of clothed Richard, so we can see that his condition would scarcely have been visible when he was clothed. I know several people have expressed reluctance to see his unclothed form, but there might be some way to demonstrate the view from, say, the waist up from all angles without his shirt on. That would also demonstrate convincingly our motto: Scoliosis is not hunchback!
> They really do need to do something to show us the entire figure, I think.
Carol responds:
I agree, especially given the careless use of the term "hunchback" in the documentary on which traditionalists and those too lazy to consult a real biography so gleefully seized, including, unfortunately, a certain CBS reporter who has since, I hope, been enlightened. If people see what he really looked like (perhaps rather like that statue of Alexander the Great?), the hunchback myth should go away and we can start analyzing his actions and character instead of his appearance. (I wonder, BTW, whether younger actors will start playing Richard now that everyone knows how young he was.)
Regarding the lack of clothing, I agree that it's important to see him shirtless, as only Anne, his valet, and perhaps his physicians would have seen him before his death. There is, IMO, no point in full nakedness, which was appropriate in the Lucy and Nariokotome Boy reconstructions because nakedness was their normal state, but Richard would never have been publicly nude and we need to see the upper torso only because of the mythology surround. Since slender or "delicate" (not feminine) legs are part of one known description, perhaps he could wear joined hose and a codpiece. The feet could be modeled on those of any small man covered with period-correct shoes.
For the reconstructed skeleton, the missing feet might present more of a problem, but reconstructed skeletons from other species often substitute bones from a different individual of the same sex, size, and species, so I see nothing wrong with replicating the feet of those of another man with similar bone structure. They, and the sternum if it isn't found, could be made in a different color from the bones that actually belong to Richard. They could even put the missing teeth back in if they're found. (I assume, and hope, that the CT scans were made before the molar was pulled for DNA analysis.) I vaguely recall thinking that one of the lower leg bones, a tibia or fibula, was also missing, but if so that could be replicated by mirroring the same bone on the other side.
Does anyone know whether the team that reconstructed Lucy, Nariokotome Boy, and a Neanderthal have expressed interest in reconstructing Richard?
Side note: Richard appears to be "old news" here in the U.S. I haven't heard one word about him since February 4 outside the Internet. I suppose I should find a place that still sells magazines (other than the tabloids in the grocery aisle) and grab whatever I can find.
Carol
Richard III on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, We earn from qualifying purchases.