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Jun 4, 2016 · Photographs of loved ones taken after they died may seem morbid to modern sensibilities. But in Victorian England, they became a way of commemorating the dead and blunting the sharpness of grief.
Oct 11, 2021 · Clearing Up Some Myths About Victorian ‘Postmortem’ Photographs. Stories abound of dead people being propped up on stands to seem alive. The reality was different. by Sonya Vatomsky October 11...
- Sonya Vatomsky
Jan 24, 2024 · A: Seeing a deceased person posed as if they were still alive can be deeply unsettling, especially in the context of our modern understanding of death and mourning. Q: Are these photos still available today? A: Many Victorian death photos still exist today and are often collected as macabre curiosities by enthusiasts of the macabre.
Dec 14, 2020 · After looking at some of the Victorian era photographs of the ghost mothers online, I stumbled across the practice of post mortem photography, the popular Victorian practice of taking a photo of a loved one after they have died.
- The Art of Post-Mortem Photography
- The History of Victorian Post-Mortem Photos
- Frequently Asked Questions
Death was ubiquitous throughout the Victorian era due to high mortality rates and the uncontrolled spread of illness. Many individuals devised inventive methods to commemorate the deceased, like Victorian post-mortem photos. While it may seem morbid now, numerous families have used post-mortem photography to remember their loved ones. Real Victoria...
Portraiture became more prevalent after the development of the daguerreotype in 1839 since many people who could not afford to order a portrait painting could afford the cost to sit for a photographic session. This also gave the middle class a means to remember deceased loved ones. Previously, post-mortem portraiture was limited to the upper classe...
What Are Victorian Post-Mortem Photos?
Post-mortem photography was performed in order to get a printed photograph of your deceased family member to prominently display in your house. In the terrible case that a loved one died, taking a snapshot of their corpse or face would be regarded odd, if not frowned upon. Post-mortem photography, on the other hand, was formerly a popular habit out of respect and affection. However, throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, this unusual tradition was widely accepted as a sign of both sorr...
What Is the Difference Between Fake and Real Victorian Death Photos?
Due to the popularity and prominence of Victorian post-mortem photos, it became a lucrative business to make and sell fake photos to the public. Cast iron posing stands were employed to assist living models to stay motionless during the lengthier exposures of the time. This helped create the illusion of stillness as it was easy to capture blurry photos on old camera equipment. They weren’t designed or built to carry the weight of a dead corpse, but they were utilized to support the limbs of p...
- Jordan Anthony
- ( Content Editor, Art Writer, Photographer )
Dec 27, 2020 · Contrary to mainstream modern sensibilities about death photos, photographs of loved ones taken posthumously served as an important way of remembering the dead and soothing the pain of loss in Victorian England.
Dec 16, 2020 · Today, Victorian death photos may seem disturbing. But for people in the 19th century, they provided comfort during times of grief. You can see some of the most striking examples of this practice in the gallery above.
