Sleeping Beauty II: Grief, Bereavement in Memorial Photography American and European Traditions

by Stanley B. Burns, Elizabeth A. Burns

This volume expands the history of early postmortem and memorial photography, and continues the exploration of the subject to the present day. Several new topics are surveyed, and four new major themes are addressed in family bonds, grief and mourning; the significant differences between American and European postmortem photography; the artistry of posthumous mourning photographs; and a new grieving ritual using photographs. Photographs from over 15 countries are examined. Extensive captions accompany some 140 new images, and a detailed chronology and bibliography aid further research.

Genres: Photography, Death, Nonfiction, History, Art

186 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

Driven by a deep commitment to share his discoveries, Dr. Stanley B. Burns’ name has become synonymous with historic photography. Dr. Burns began collecting medical, historical, and memorial photography in 1975, and founded The Burns Archive in 1977. Since then, he’s authored dozens of award-winning photo-history books, and has curated and exhibited at dozens of major museums and galleries worldwide. A New York City ophthalmologist, Dr. Burns’ keen eye for iconic imagery has helped rewrite inaccuracies in medical history and played a large role in the rediscovery of postmortem photography and nineteenth century mourning practices. An accomplished surgeon, author, historian, curator, collector, professor, publisher, and archivist, Dr. Burns has been referred to as “the Johnny Appleseed of photography” in New York Magazine, as he’s actively shared his encyclopedic knowledge and expertise. His contributions to medical and photography history are recognized by his official appointments at several institutions, including The National Arts Club, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, The American College of Surgeons and especially by New York University: Langone Medical Center where he is Clinical Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry. Over the past 40 years, he has consulted and contributed to thousands of feature films, documentaries, television productions and publications. He has authored 43 photo-historical texts, over 1000 articles and served as editor of several medical journals. When not collecting, Dr. Burns spends his consulting, lecturing, creating exhibits, and writing books on under-appreciated areas of history and photography. Dr. Burns is the on-set Medical, Historical and Technical Consultant for the HBO-Cinemax series, "The Knick." His 44th book, Stiffs, Skulls & Skeletons: Medical Photography and Symbolism will be released October of 2014.

Reviews

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a history of photography course two years ago that made me aware of the practice of postmortem (memorial) photography as a means of coping with grief. When we lost my great-grandfather in 2003, my great-grandmother wanted a photograph of him laid out in the casket. Everyone else seemed rather revolted at the idea, and I had my own undefined misgivings, but I snapped the picture for her. Only after I had taken the class did I learn how important memorial photography is to history, as well as the process of grieving.
Having never lost anyone that wasn't already a ripe old age, I was feeling so unprepared to cope with death that brings true loss. I had recently become a new mother and found myself looking at a daguerreotype of a dead child cradled by her mother in class, and a rush of horror choked me. To have a photograph of our worst fear can be a tool in coping with the unknown. If we are ever confronted with this terrible circumstance, we have at least one image with which to orient ourselves.
For my speech class, I gave a presentation on the subject and included photographs taken from this book. Many of my fellow students found the images too disturbing as there was an emphasis in my speech on photographs of dead children. While I understand how horrible the images were to look at, I had to share how important they were. I bore the criticism because however morbid, there was a time in recent history that children died with regularity from infectious disease. Folks had to COPE with that.
I feel privileged to have a copy of this book in my library.

[Anita Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death photography, while being somber and at times beautiful, is sometimes very creepy and a great topic for Halloween 2017 on Odd Things Considered. Such photography can upset people so I am going to keep any scans of the photos over on my site. Here's a snippet of the discussion:

I find the best way to discuss these books is to quote from the textual information and demonstrate the information with photographs. Because some people, understandably, find pictures of dead children distressing, I will put all such photos under the cut.

Sleeping Beauty II was created…

…to complement the exhibition “Le Denier Portrait” at the Musee d’Orsay, Paris, in which several photographs from the Sleeping Beauty series have been included. This book presents for the first time the important distinctions between American and European postmortem imagery.

In photography’s earliest years, death was still widely considered a natural part of everyday life. People took photographs of their cherished departed with a reverence little understood today. These photographs were a normal part of the culture, and we are testament to a time when the magic of photography offered the hope of extending relationships. At the moment people who were most vulnerable, photography offered a memento that seemed real – a tangible visual object that allowed continued closeness to the deceased.

We can feel the power of these photographs generations after the images were made. We relate to these pictures of strangers because they speak of a universal language of emotions – tenderness, affection, need, hope, loss and despair – uniting the human family in common experience.

People are often upset by these images and in a way it reminds me of the way people are appalled when some callow youths poses for a selfie with sick or dead relatives. There is something unseemly about forcing the extremely weak or dead into photographs. You can’t be any more vulnerable than dead – you no longer have any control over what is done to you, and it seems foul when some Instagram-generation kid grins next to the open casket, iPhone in hand. But it makes me wonder how such photos will be received a couple hundred years from now. Once we place these photos in the historical context in which they were created, they often seem less callous and exploitative.

You can read my entire discussion here.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book, though, EXTREMELY rare. I was only able to find a copy at the main Cincinnati library branch. There were only so many copies ever published and most sell for a couple hundred dollars. There are 2 volumes of this book that illustrate the history of memorial photography (think about the movie "The Others" with Nicole Kidman) which was the practice of photographing the deceased. It really is fascinating how people would pose with their loved ones for a final picture. This practice is still upheld in some areas, though, I don't think I would want to remember anyone as they were in death.

[Melissa Dally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, even better than the first one.

[Jessica Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. It is probably my favourite non-fiction book that I own. I'm very proud to own a signed copy of it (signed when I met the author at a horror convention in Toronto).

If you like the odd, the strange and a little (or a big) taste of death with your antique photography, then this book is for you. I love post mortem photography, so this book was immediately up my alley - for a lot of people who aren't into the strange and morbid - you may want to steer clear, though - as this is a no holds barred look at photography of the dead.

Stanley Burns runs the Burns archive (a collection of perhaps thousands of post mortem cabinet and antique photographs), and Sleeping Beauty II is an amazing instalment of a look into this morbid, strange and perhaps taboo world.

Take a peek - not for the faint of heart.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing book filled with beautiful pictures. some might look at this as a curiosity but its more than that. its an insight into history and the recording of what is one of the hardest things to deal with in life and that is the death of a loved one. in some photos, the subjects look like they could be up and about, but we know the truth. the pictures of the children are the most amazing, beautiful but sad. families taking one last look of their child, sadly after death instead of before. however, it is better than nothing which is what the only other option was at the time. I loved this book and would love to own a copy in my collection.

[Librariann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact that he repeatedly refers to the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center as a "bombing" in commentary towards the end of the book is somewhat bizarre.

That that is the only find bizarre about this book speaks to why my husband sometimes gives me sidelong looks.

Also, I own this book! I bought it (and III) as a present to myself for paying off my undergrad student loans. BOOM.

[Hotspur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, in a very weird way. Speaks to our changing perceptions of dying and death as well as how we mourn loss.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love looking at these old pictures. This was a great book especially since it had the descriptions of the pictures with it. It really takes you back in time.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as compelling as the first book, maybe because it seemed like more of the same information as shared in SBI.