Death Portraits

Paper Summary:

This paper examines some of the more famous "death portraits" or daguerreotypes, which were photographed in the early 20th century. It analyzes the psychological reasons why people chose to have these done and the socio-economic reasons as well. Reasons include that the photograph was cheaper than a painting and quicker. The excitement at the new technology of photographing gave rise to this new trend.

From the Paper:

"Death portraits, like the one presented here, did not just depict the dead, but also included, or even focused on the living mourners. These portraits didn't just focus on the death, but the process of mourning itself. Daguerreotypes like these were not popular at first, but became popular later in the century. At least two women in the 1840's posed in daguerreotypes with their dead children; and by the end of the century, this had become a convention. The process had come full circle; the photograph now documented a convention in which it had a part."

More papers on Death Portraits:

• Analytical Essay # 14691 : "The Death Of Woman Wang" ( Jonathan Spence )"
• Term Paper # 146740 : "Egyptian Art: Glory in Death"
• Book Review # 54374 : "Chile, Pinochet, and the Caravan of Death"

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