05/06/2025
In the late 19th century, the body of an unidentified young woman was pulled from the River Seine in Paris. Presumed to be a teenager who had tragically taken her own life, her identity remained unknown. Dubbed "L'Inconnue de la Seine" (The Unknown Woman of the Seine), her body was displayed at the Paris Morgue in hopes of someone recognizing her, but no one came forward. What captured the attention of those who viewed her body was her serene and peaceful expression, which would later become the focal point of a fascinating legacy.
A doctor or mortician, mesmerized by the tranquility of her face, made a plaster cast of her features, creating a "death mask" that soon became a symbol of beauty and mystery. Replicas of the mask spread across Europe, with artists and writers becoming captivated by her enigmatic smile, often comparing it to the famous Mona Lisa. Over time, L'Inconnue's likeness became an icon of Parisian culture, representing both tragic beauty and the romantic ideals of the time, embodying the unknowable allure of a life cut short.
In the 1950s and 60s, the face of L'Inconnue de la Seine took on an unexpected new role when doctors and medical professionals were developing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation techniques for CPR. In search of a face for a new mannequin to train people in life-saving methods, Norwegian toymaker Åsmund Laerdal remembered the death mask and chose it as the model for the "Resusci Anne" mannequin, commonly known as "Annie." Since then, Resusci Anne has been used in CPR training worldwide, helping save countless lives. Her serene, calming face, once a symbol of tragedy, has indirectly contributed to over 300 million CPR certifications, giving her a strange and beautiful legacy.