Description

Height: 21cm

Width: 17cm

Antique death photographs, commonly known as post-mortem photography, emerged as a poignant tradition in the mid-19th century, especially prevalent during the Victorian era. This practice became popular due to high mortality rates and the advent of photography, which offered many families their first and often only opportunity to capture an image of their loved ones.

Initially expensive and cumbersome, early photography was not accessible to everyone. However, as the technology evolved and became more affordable, it enabled middle-class families to commemorate deceased family members through photographs. These images often included the deceased posed as if they were asleep or, less commonly, in a lifelike pose that mimicked life, sometimes surrounded by family members.

Post-mortem photos served multiple purposes: they were a means of grieving, a way to remember the dead, and a poignant part of the mourning process. The photographs might be kept in family albums, framed, or carried as keepsakes. Over time, the practice waned with the advent of better healthcare, lower mortality rates, and changes in cultural attitudes towards death.

Today, these photographs are valued both as collectibles and as historical artifacts that provide insight into past attitudes toward death, mourning, and the role of photography in society. They remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of memory and remembrance.