Victorian Post Mortem Photos

[PatriceIs60]

Originally Posted by Inlimbo

I wonder why there were so many dead children during this time....the pictures are beautiful.

In the Victorian Era, there were no antibiotics, and little ones with no immune systems died. Families tended to have a lot of children so at least some would live into adulthood. The infant and mother mortality rate was sky high during childbirth. Women would bleed to death or get infections. If the mother couldn't afford to eat good, then the baby could die at birth or shortly after due to not having nutrients. We are lucky today

[BSNERRN]

Originally Posted by Inlimbo

I wonder why there were so many dead children during this time....the pictures are beautiful.

Greater than 50% of children born in the Victorian era, died before their 5th birthday, and there were a multitude of reasons. One of the simplest forms of prevention of MANY deaths, was hand washing. There were no vaccines or antibiotics, as well. There were accidents, drowning, illness/disease, poor medical/dental care, poor hygiene practices, just to name a few. Many household items were made from deadly substances such as arsenic in wallpapers, paint, clothing and makeup. The "murder" bottles for feeding children were impossible to clean, bacteria multiplied in the tubing, was ingested and ultimately killed many children. There were pandemics/plagues, labor and delivery and untreatable birth defects, negligence, abuse, etc etc etc. MANY children were sentenced to Industrial schools and many of those children were murdered, oft times for something as minor as stealing a loaf of bread. Many of those very children didn't commit a crime but were dumped because they were orphans, had a deformity/disease, and parents didn't want to be bothered, or couldn't afford to take care of them.
The list goes on and on.
Many of the issues that killed back then, wouldn't require a hospital admission today.

[BSNERRN]

Originally Posted by NaughtyGirls

this is the creepiest Memento Mori pic ive ever seen....

I find it fascinating..

the eyelids are painted and rigor mortis has set in the hands

This isn't a pm photo. Contrary to popular belief, Victorian post mortem photos were rare but quite obvious, with the decedent lying in repose in a bed or coffin. The Victorians did not pose, prop or paint the dead to appear alive.

[BSNERRN]

Originally Posted by Livores

Wanted to add some pictures. Enjoy!

These are not post mortem photos. The Victorians did not pose, prop or paint the dead to appear alive. If they were deceased, they would be lying in repose in a bed or coffin.

[BSNERRN]

Originally Posted by NaughtyGirls

this is the creepiest Memento Mori pic ive ever seen....

I find it fascinating..

the eyelids are painted and rigor mortis has set in the hands

That is a photo of a living child that was painted over. If he was dead, he would not be sitting upright. That is an internet myth that the Victorians posed, propped and painted the dead to appear alive.

[analqueen]

My fathers sister was 14yo when she passed away from a fever in the islands. For the longest time my grandmother had a vintage photo of her in similar ways. At the age of 8 or 9 I wasn't aware that she was dead and they had her propped up on a chair. When I later learned that she was dead that picture left my room fast. I was scared shirtless after that discovery. However, back then it was normal to take family photos with the decreased

[mr_feelgood]

Originally Posted by BSNERRN

That is a photo of a living child that was painted over. If he was dead, he would not be sitting upright. That is an internet myth that the Victorians posed, propped and painted the dead to appear alive.

Ha

[tarvin890]

Do you suppose all the flowers are to cover the smell?