Buzz
The Victorian era saw the emergence of a peculiar tradition with the rise of photography. Since taking photographs was a costly affair, few families could afford a camera. High mortality rates, driven by disease and poor sanitation, were common during this period. When a family member passed away, Victorians seized the chance to preserve their memory through photography, something previously unattainable. Due to the expense, post-mortem photos often became the sole image families had of their lost loved ones.
Early post-mortem photography often depicted the deceased as if they were still living, with coffins rarely visible. Children were photographed with toys or lying in bed as if asleep. Ingenious frames were even used to prop up the deceased for standing poses. In many cases, surviving siblings were asked to pose alongside their departed brother or sister in eerie family portraits. These photos had to be taken swiftly after death, before decomposition became noticeable.
If this list intrigues you, don’t miss The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime available at Amazon.com!
The phrase “memento mori” is far older than the Victorian era, originating centuries prior. It translates to “remember you must die” and, influenced by the Catholic Church’s emphasis on preparing for the afterlife during medieval times, this concept permeated every facet of society. It manifested in art, music, and poetry, serving as a constant reminder of mortality.
Vita brevis breviter in brevi finietur, Mors venit velociter quae neminem veretur, Omnia mors perimit et nulli miseretur. Ad mortem festinamus peccare desistamus.
Ni conversus fueris et sicut puer factus Et vitam mutaveris in meliores actus, Intrare non poteris regnum Dei beatus. Ad mortem festinamus peccare desistamus.
Life is short, and shortly it will end; Death comes quickly and respects no one, Death destroys everything and takes pity on no one. To death we are hastening, let us refrain from sinning.
If you do not turn back and become like a child, And change your life for the better, You will not be able to enter, blessed, the Kingdom of God. To death we are hastening, let us refrain from sinning.
— virelai ad mortem festinamus of the Catalan Llibre Vermell de Montserrat from 1399
One particularly eerie aspect of Victorian post-mortem photography is the technical limitation of early cameras. Due to the long exposure times, living subjects often appear blurred, while the deceased, who remain perfectly still, are captured with striking clarity. In a strange twist, the dead often seem more lifelike and less ghostly than their living counterparts.
Begin your 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime Instant Video today! Start Your Free Trial at Amazon.com!
