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amadoj0nes ([info]amadoj0nes) wrote in [info]design_history,
2008-03-25 19:54:00
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19th Century Post-Mortem Photography

It's very hard for people in modern times to understand the concept of post-mortem photography, which was an accepted and even common thing in the 19th century. In the days before Polaroids, camcorders, and digital photos, families who wished to preserve the memory of their loved ones looked to photography. What began as simple photos of deceased loved ones slowly evolved into a design craft of its own, with staging, lighting, decoration, posing, and other production qualities that often resembled second funerals and memorials in and of themselves. The practice eventually faded in popularity (both here and overseas) in the early part of the 20th century.

When looking at these pictures, try to look on them with respect, and within context. These were living people (and pets), with families who loved them, and their decision to do this was done out of love.. Some had money to hire a professional photographer, some had little money at all. What we look at as "morbid" or "bizzare" was simply their efforts to preserve the memory of someone they cherished given the technology they had.

Think of the ways we memorialize our own dead.. Post-mortem photography has been replaced by glittery memorial webpages laden with animated gifs and embedded MIDI music.. Are we really any different?







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  • 22 comments

[info]frou_frou

March 26 2008, 05:01:59 UTC 4 years ago

Whilst I like these images, I encourage you to put the photos behind a cut - some people prefer not to be confronted with images of dead people and this is a community that you wouldn't normally expect to find them. Thank you.

[info]amadoj0nes

March 26 2008, 06:31:13 UTC 4 years ago

Hi frou,

I actually thought about that. I made the choice not to, because I didn't consider any of the pictures notably "graphic" in nature, or in poor taste. Its a little bit of a psychological thump, but wasn't distressing, I felt.

I'll always keep your suggestion in mind in the future, of course.

[info]astartesyriaca

March 26 2008, 07:55:53 UTC 4 years ago

Hey there... I'm going to concur with the above comment. I don't find the photos disturbing and agree with you that they are not in poor taste. But I do think this is an area that can possibly have some highly personal connotations (particularly because these are children, and I've had friends lose children unexpectedly), and people should be confronting them by choice, see?

Also, I almost opened up a debate on whether this should fall in the category of "design". Is a posed photograph design, or is it simply that? Post-mortem photography is interesting because it came at a time when the keeping of momentos of the dead was commonplace, and a photo became another way of doing this. But there is one underlying element that items of "design" arguably have - usefulness. While these have an artfulness and/or a function for memory, I'm not sure they have a purposeful design aspect to them (as apposed to, for example, mourning/hair jewelry)...

So, here is my can of worms opened, and I'd be happy to hear anyone's thoughts.

[info]sensaes

March 26 2008, 10:23:31 UTC 4 years ago Edited:  March 26 2008, 10:37:53 UTC

I was wondering about the "appropriateness" factor, too. However, looking at the photographs again, and noting the particular way/s in which they are staged (rather than "posed", given the subject matter), it occurs to me that there is a common design thread running through them. Photographs four and six (especially) are interesting, because it's entirely conceivable that copies might've been retained by the photographer to demonstrate how he marketed the "concept" to potential customers (think "sample album", page...whatever).

Personally I'd vote for an LJ-cut on the entry overall, though...

[info]sensaes

March 26 2008, 10:36:44 UTC 4 years ago

Oh, and before I forget...

...vis-à-vis the history of design with specific regard to things British and, er, stiff-related, a book recommendation: Nigel Llewellyn, The Art of Death - Visual Culture in the English Death Ritual c.1500-c.1800. It accompanied a truly fascinating exhibition at the V&A in '92, and yes, I have a copy if you're ever tempted. ;o)

[info]frou_frou

March 26 2008, 11:37:12 UTC 4 years ago

Re: Oh, and before I forget...

Oh, I saw that exhibition! It was amazing, one of my all time favourites -might have to track down a copy of the book. Thank you.

[info]sensaes

March 26 2008, 11:50:38 UTC 4 years ago

Re: Oh, and before I forget...

Pleasure!

[info]amadoj0nes

March 27 2008, 08:14:01 UTC 4 years ago

The order that I posted the photos is intentional -- It was meant to show that over time, more and more design elements, particularly in staging, were generally incorporated into the photos. From next to nothing to highly decorated scenes presented in vignette form.

As for usefulness of design, I would imagine it would help the grieving process somewhat to look back upon someone's memory in such a way--the more embellishment, the better.

(this post appears to have stirred a few people -- even though I find the more obscure and peripheral stuff most interesting, i'll try to avoid it in the future.)

[info]astartesyriaca

March 28 2008, 01:58:40 UTC 4 years ago

It is very interesting, and I wouldn't want you to avoid it. I really didn't want to make "cut" rules on this community, and won't start now. I just hope for a common sense approach with particular regard to image size (which you always do). To be honest I hadn't thought about potentially controversial material. Maybe just add anything "iffy" under a cut.

Anonymous

March 27 2008, 23:42:14 UTC 4 years ago

Dead Kids

The photos hit close to home, having lost a child myself (Jim, 18 YO). Still, just because I feel an emotional twinge does not mean that these photos are in bad taste. I saw the thumbnail and I knew what I was gonna see.

Someone offered to take a photo of my son in his coffin.
I politely declined the offer. The image is burned into my brain anyway.

JIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous

November 19 2009, 06:23:57 UTC 2 years ago

Appropriate

I found these photies to be completely appropriate. Of course it's sadnening especially to see the little ones dead but you are prepared when you go to the web-site. I find it to be a very interesting piece of our culture and history.

[info]gun_star

March 26 2008, 07:06:23 UTC 4 years ago

thank u for sharing these photos.
this theme might seem creepy nowadays, but from the historical perspective it is a good piece of evidence of how people tried to decor and "frame" the last image of their loved people.

[info]fuschia_rose

March 26 2008, 13:21:44 UTC 4 years ago

My family has post-mortem photographs of my great-grandmother when she died in the 1960s...so people were doing it even that late! The photos weren't posed though; they were just of her in the coffin.

Anonymous

May 18 2008, 23:00:34 UTC 4 years ago

Post-mortem photos are still the trend in some places...

I lived in Ukraine for three years (2002-2005) and I found that (at least in the village) they still do this.

Anonymous

April 25 2009, 02:15:41 UTC 3 years ago

Yeah

My family has post mortem photos of my grandparents and they both died in the mid 90s about two years appart.

[info]ejeanmay

March 28 2008, 04:23:52 UTC 4 years ago

I understand your point, but would too have preferred this behind a cut. Thanks.

[info]mac29

August 7 2008, 19:29:28 UTC 3 years ago

At first I was a little shocked by these photographs and I found them to be a little on the disturbing side but at the same time I know that these photographs were taken with the utmost respect and kindness. It's a bit uncomfortable but if you can see past our cultural taboos you might even see something beautiful. Death is a part of life whether we photograph it, talk about it or ignore it, it's still a certainty for everyone and it doesn't have to be such a dreadful thing.

taking photos

Anonymous

June 25 2009, 18:14:19 UTC 2 years ago

Re: Photos

I believe these photos hold a lot of precious feelings for the lost family members and if they be Human or Pet they were loved individuals. I just saw a program on this subject on History International and it holds a great deal of insight to the loved lost.

Anonymous

February 15 2010, 23:17:16 UTC 2 years ago

Just a comment

i new it was highly likely i would see photos of this nature before i entered the site. yes i feel a little upset/slightly disturbed by the pictures but thats my fault for coming on this site. although i find the many feelings these pictures stirred in me fascinating. ill not forget these images in a long time. Infact for many reasons i feel privileged to have seen them.

Anonymous

June 5 2010, 19:39:22 UTC 1 year ago

hi

rip baby so sorey for youre loste

Anonymous

September 9 2010, 00:40:45 UTC 1 year ago

I think these are wonderful and they shouldn't be hidden behind anything.
They are in good taste and a part of our history. Now days things are swept under a rug and wrapped up in cellophane. This is a way of remembering and I see nothing wrong.

Anonymous

October 24 2010, 22:24:39 UTC 1 year ago

hermosas

Son fotos realmente bellas, EL respeto Y cuidado a los cadáveres me impresiona, todo esto para consuelo de las familias, al verlas me dio mucha tristeza, imagino el dolor de los familiares, y la foto del perro se nota que lo querían mucho..
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