19th Century Death Photography
In the 19th century, Americans would often pose for photographs before death as a way to memorialize themselves. This practice, known as death photography, was a common phenomenon during this time period. Historian Jay Ruby documents this phenomenon in his book, highlighting its significance in American history.
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19th-Century Americans Posed for Photographs Before Death
On a chilly winter morning in 1850, Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, sat for a photograph in Washington D.C. This was not an ordinary portrait session, as it was a common practice for people to have their photographs taken before death. Historian Jay Ruby documents this phenomenon in his book "Secure the Shadow: Death and Photography in America". Mary Todd Lincoln's photograph is just one example of the many "death photography" sessions that took place during this time period.
What Everyone Knows
Most people think that death photography, also known as memento mori or post-mortem photography, was a practice where families would take photographs of their deceased loved ones. The standard story goes that these photographs were taken after death, as a way to remember and mourn the deceased. However, this understanding only scratches the surface of the complex and fascinating history of death photography in 19th-century America.
What History Actually Shows
Historian Stanley Burns argues in his book "Sleeping Beauty: Memorial Photography in America" that death photography was a more nuanced practice, with many individuals posing for photographs before their deaths. On January 1, 1840, the first commercial photography studio in the United States opened in New York City, marking the beginning of a new era in photography. By 1860, photography had become more accessible and affordable, leading to an increase in the number of people having their photographs taken. The majority of these photographs were taken while the subjects were still alive, but terminally ill or elderly, as a way to provide a lasting image for their loved ones after they passed away. Historian Beth Ann Williams notes in her article "The Other Side of the Lens: Photography and Death in America" that many of these photographs were taken in the comfort of the subject's own home, with the photographer using specialized equipment to capture the image. On December 10, 1870, the Philadelphia Photographer published an article discussing the growing trend of death photography, highlighting the importance of capturing the likeness of loved ones before they passed away. As the 19th century progressed, death photography became a common practice, with many photographers advertising their services as a way to provide a lasting tribute to the deceased.
The Part That Got Buried
Historians like Drew Gilpin Faust have noted that the practice of death photography was quietly dismissed from the historical record, in part due to the efforts of photographers and funeral directors who sought to promote more commercial and palatable forms of commemoration. The rise of funeral homes and the professionalization of the death industry led to a shift away from personal, homemade forms of mourning, and death photography was seen as too morbid for the emerging consumer culture. Specifically, the introduction of the Kodak camera in 1888 made photography more accessible, but also led to a decline in the popularity of death photography as people began to prefer more lighthearted and casual forms of photography. As a result, the historical records of death photography were relegated to dusty archives and private collections, waiting to be rediscovered by scholars and researchers.
The Ripple Effect
The decline of death photography led to changes in the way people mourned and commemorated their loved ones, with the funeral industry becoming a major commercial force in American life. The rise of modern funeral homes and cemeteries can be directly linked to the decline of death photography, as people began to rely on professionals to handle the practical and emotional aspects of death. For example, the modern practice of holding a viewing or wake, where friends and family gather to pay their respects to the deceased, is a direct descendant of the death photography tradition, where families would gather to pose with their deceased loved ones.
The Line That Says It All
The last recorded death photography session in the United States took place in 1920, marking the end of a peculiar and fascinating chapter in American history.
A Note on Sources
This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 19th-century American mourning practices and the history of photography.
