Victorian Post Mortem Photos

TaylorVonDutch · #1 02-01-2010, 09:41 PM

The invention of the daguerreotype in 1839 made portraiture much more commonplace, as many of those who were unable to afford the commission of a painted portrait could afford to sit for a photography session. This cheaper and quicker method also provided the middle class with a means for memorializing dead loved ones.

These photographs served less as a reminder of mortality than as a keepsake to remember the deceased. This was especially common with infants and young children; Victorian era childhood mortality rates were extremely high, and a post-mortem photograph might be the only image of the child the family ever had. The later invention of the carte de visite, which allowed multiple prints to be made from a single negative, meant that copies of the image could be mailed to relatives.

The practice eventually peaked in popularity around the end of the 19th century and died out as "snapshot" photography became more commonplace, although a few examples of formal memorial portraits were still being produced well into the 20th century.

snugglebunny · #2 02-01-2010, 09:44 PM

Some of the pictures are really beautiful the way they have them posed out and everything.....

TaylorVonDutch · #3 02-01-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snugglebunny

Some of the pictures are really beautiful the way they have them posed out and everything.....

agreed.

Eisenberg · #4 02-02-2010, 12:23 PM

eerie and beautiful, post more if you have. I love these pictures

unemployedjohnny · #5 02-02-2010, 01:17 PM

The photos are very beautiful reminders of the deceased. My Dad took a picture of himself with my older brother who had hung himself. Didn't turn out looking as nice as these...it actually looks creepy.

Willezurmacht · #6 02-02-2010, 01:30 PM

It is a matter of taste; but I really like these. What I do not like is color photos of people in caskets. The B&W is so much more evocative, like a marble statue.

Jeff4221 · #7 02-02-2010, 02:16 PM

Agreed. The sepia tone is a nice touch.

YoshiDrummer · #8 02-02-2010, 06:15 PM

Yoshi Likes this!

Aria · #9 02-02-2010, 06:34 PM

I think the one of the father and son with the mother in the casket is very sadly beautiful. There are a lot of men who think they are better than women and many women who think they are better than men, but in the end, we are all equal.

Illusion · #10 02-02-2010, 06:50 PM

Very nice.

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