We Are The Living

World War I drastically altered nearly every aspect of American and European life. New military technologies changed the way people die, and new medical technologies changed the way people survived. 

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Over 9 million soldiers died in The Great War, and millions more were injured. While all of the countries involved worked to drum up support during the war, that support waned when the soldiers came home. Traumatized physically and psychologically, World War I veterans faced a difficult transition to civilian life. This transition was especially difficult for soldiers with severe facial injuries and disfigurements. Called les gueules cassées or mutiles by those around them, these soldiers were met with severe marginalization and isolation. 

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This project will explore one way that disfigured soldiers could regain a normal life: facial prosthetics. Also called portrait masks, these prosthetics helped these men feel comfortable in a society that places so much importance on appearance. 

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This website contains photographs of real facial injuries from World War I. Viewer discretion is advised.