Victorian Book of the Dead
DISCLAIMER/WARNING
Ok, lets get the disclaimer/warning out of the way first . . . I find these photographs very interesting and the majority beautiful. However, the majority of the pictures are of children and I realise that some people may find this distressing. I'm not here to upset anyone or cause harm. I just want to start a thread with a serious tone in which we can have a serious discussion of the contents. I'm starting this thread purely because I mentioned the topic in passing and i've had a few pm's saying that those users would be interested in the subject. I fully understand if you do not wish to continue reading or look at the links provided. I also understand if this thread is deleted (although it doesn't break the rules). I'm not trying to cause trouble.
Is that enough of a disclaimer??
Now to the topic . . . .
For many years I’ve been fascinated with the Victorians habit of taking pictures of dead relatives. This was sparked by “The Others” as I had to prove a point at college that they did actually exist. Anyway, this isn’t only a Victorian ‘thing’ it has been popular with many cultures since the invention of photography and continues today.
- The person is shown ‘sleeping’ surrounded by family or alone in a ‘normal’ situation – on a chair, bed, in mothers arms
- The person has eyes painted over the photograph or the eyelids actually opened and then posed either on their own or with family members
- The person is in a coffin
When searching for these on the internet you often get comments left on the website such as “errrr that’s sick” etc but I think they are missing the point. The main reason for the photographs being taken in the Victorian era as this may have been the only chance for a permanent reminder to be taken. It was cheap compared to sitting for a portrait and certainly didn’t require the time commitment. Those that wanted to always remember their mother/daughter/grandfather could invite a photographer into the home quickly and easily.
But now this isn’t the case. Photography is prevalent but this practice continues today. I believe it is because the cultures that still practice this are more ‘connected’ with their dead. The family member is more likely to die at home, the corpse will be prepared by the family and the coffin kept at home till burial – why should a final picture not be taken?
Like I said at the beginning, I find these very beautiful. I see them as a demonstration of love, preparing your relative, swallowing your grief in order to have that one last picture.
When my nephew died he still looked like ‘him’. He was beautiful and just looked like he was sleeping. If it hadn’t been for the tubes I think we would have continued to take photographs so we had as many as we could. Unfortunately once the funeral home got their hands on him he became different and no longer looked like my beautiful nephew. Due to this I’m not sure if I ‘understand’ the concept more. My friend had a still birth and she took pictures of her daughter as it was the only chance she would have. She does not have these on general display (which is her personal choice) but she carries one with her at all times and she will often look at the others. This for me isn't any different.
I know I’ve written a very long initial post but I’m really interested in your thoughts on this subject. Should it be taboo? I doubt that anyone would scrap these pictures but we do know about someone that posted on two peas with pictures of her mothers funeral.
As i've mentioned on another thread I was at the funeral of a close friend and her father took pictures of her being buried and the 'happy' mourners (we were asked to smile). I didn't understand this at the time, and I still don't understand why the mourners were photographed but I 'get' the pictures of her.
I would like to open the floor now so to speak. I've put links at the bottom. As above, please please please do not look at them unless you really want to or feel prepared to.
I quote from Hysteri-Cal .... "if you have a weak stomach or don't like looking at dead people - don't let morbid fascination take over .. DO NOT LOOK" ...
Example 1
Example 2