Carte De Visite
1860-1865 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The production of Carte de Visite post-mortem photographs in Victorian England was an important part of the remembrance of and grieving for the dead.
With high mortality rates among children, and the ever-decreasing cost of photography, these images became quite common. They are now a significant contribution to the historical imaging and representation of children. To modern audiences, the morbidity and sadness of these images can be striking and fascinating. This particular image is distinctive, for it eschews the normal conventions of a child laid out as though sleeping in a coffin or on a pillow. Instead, the baby is shown quite clearly on a mortuary board, a stark reminder of the reality of death.
With high mortality rates among children, and the ever-decreasing cost of photography, these images became quite common. They are now a significant contribution to the historical imaging and representation of children. To modern audiences, the morbidity and sadness of these images can be striking and fascinating. This particular image is distinctive, for it eschews the normal conventions of a child laid out as though sleeping in a coffin or on a pillow. Instead, the baby is shown quite clearly on a mortuary board, a stark reminder of the reality of death.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Albumen print on paper, mounted on card |
| Brief description | Carte de Visite; post-mortem photograph of a baby, mounted albumen print; Maull and Polyblank, London, 1860-1865 |
| Physical description | Mounted albumen print showing a deceased infant, wearing a white cotton gown and bonnet, reclining on a pillow as though sleeping. The baby's hands are crossed over its stomach. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Purchased by the Museum of Childhood in 2015 [2015/518]. Nothing is known about the subject of the photo. |
| Historical context | The dating of this image within five years (1860-1865) is possible as the photography studio, Maull and Polyblank of London, dissolved in 1865. This studio were particularly renowned for their series of portraits of Victorian celebrities, which was keenly collected. A full run of these portraits is held at the National Portrait Gallery, and many of the company's prints are held in the V&A. |
| Production | The photo was taken in London by Maull & Polyblank, which dates it to before 1865, as at that date the firm changed its name. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The production of Carte de Visite post-mortem photographs in Victorian England was an important part of the remembrance of and grieving for the dead. With high mortality rates among children, and the ever-decreasing cost of photography, these images became quite common. They are now a significant contribution to the historical imaging and representation of children. To modern audiences, the morbidity and sadness of these images can be striking and fascinating. This particular image is distinctive, for it eschews the normal conventions of a child laid out as though sleeping in a coffin or on a pillow. Instead, the baby is shown quite clearly on a mortuary board, a stark reminder of the reality of death. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.98-2015 |
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| Record created | September 23, 2015 |
| Record URL |
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