Photograph of Constanze Mozart

Rather amazingly the Guardian carries a story about a photograph of Mozart's widow Constanze. Apparently taken in 1840, it shows her with a friend and his family. She was born in 1762 so would have been 78 when the picture was taken. The picture does not really tell you much about her, she looks amazingly severe and is looking down. But of course, all early pictures are a miracle because of the long exposure time, sitters rarely look natural. But there is something haunting about looking at a photograph rather than a drawing or painting. And to see a photograph of the wife of someone who is so associated with the 18th century is just amazing.