Beautiful Death: Art of the Cemetery

by David Robinson, Dean Koontz

In the spirit of Halloween comes a compelling meditation on mortality by an evocative world-class photographer and by the bestselling master of the mystery thriller. From the history of the 19th century European municipal cemetery to the grave of an Italian couple whom "death shall not divide", Beautiful Death is a many-faceted tribute to an eternally fascinating subject. 130 color photos.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Death, Photography, History, Art History, Art and Photography

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

so back when i was a retarded pretentious teenager, i would go to all the local graveyards and take artsy black and white photos of the gravestones like im walker fucking evans instead of some stupid blue-haired kid with a crappy camera. but here - here is a book that has some really nice photos of gravestones. its really beautiful, but you should see mine...

[Justin Labelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Koontz introduction is interesting and reveals his relationship with his parents and an abusive father.
The images are good but not great and provide some reference points in regards visiting these cemeteries.However, in terms of unique art or unique takes on cemeteries these are generally snapshots.

[Almeta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically a coffee-table book, full of beautiful photographs of European gravesites, divided into regional sections.

I was struck by the differences that there were in memorializing the dead among the different sectors of ethnicity; something that the photographer actually mentions at the end of the book as he describes what he looked for in order to create an interesting tableau.

As part of my genealogy hobby, I take gravesite photographs for people who are unable to do it for themselves, usually because of geographical distance. In return I hope that someone will send me photographs of ancestor gravesites to which I can not travel.

I love the older cemeteries, they have such hidden character. However, I have never seen, here in the USA, burial plots as beautiful as those recorded by David Robinson. The artwork at some of them is absolutely stunning.

At the beginning of the book is an added bonus, the personal revelation by Dean Koontz about Beautiful Death. If you are a Koontz fan, you must read it.

[Comtesse DeSpair · Rating 2 out of 5]

There really isn't much to "read" here since this is mostly a picture book. It's a collection of photographs of some of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe but the photographs themselves are disappointing in their lack of artistry. This is basically just documentary photography, not artistic photography, so if you just want to see photographs of some beautiful tombstones you will enjoy this book. If, on the other hand, you want to see artistic interpretations of the tombstones or if you want to learn about the individuals whose corpses inhabit the tombs, you will be very disappointed. I was very disappointed. Oh well, at least it was a library book and a quick "read".

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cemeteries, so when I saw a used copy of this, I had to get it. It's not a thick book, I definitely wish there was more, particularly in Prague, as I have been there and saw many more beautiful graves.
There was more to actually read than I thought, I really liked the foreword by Dean Koontz, and the photographer's own writings at the end are also interesting.
If you are over medium interested in cemeteries, graves and death culture, check this out if you can!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was sorta cheating because there was just one essay by Dean Koontz at the beginning and then like 100+ pages of cemetery photography (which was the only reason I was there anyway). My only complaint is that all the cemeteries featured are ones that are super iconic, so it's all stuff I've seen before.

[Rachel Earling-Hopson (Misse Mouse) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book full of brilliant photos. I enjoy looking through it at least twice a year.

[Karl · Rating 1 out of 5]

The pictures. They are dull, boring, and out of focus.

[Amy Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Random $4 Thriftbooks find. The foreword by Koontz was unexpected and deeply moving. Unique European monuments captured by Robinson, also enjoyed his writing as well.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the photographs of various markers; some were stunning! However, I was bummed it was just a few major Euro cities and had very little text, other than an intro from Dean Koontz (??) and a small commentary from photographer. I guess I thought it would show more variety, including markers from non-Euro places. Still, it was a nice photo essay.

[Loren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This odd book is put together backwards. Rather than open with Robinson’s explanation of what he was doing taking these photographs (and his rambling explanation of why the book is called “Beautiful Death”), the book begins with an essay by Dean Koontz. Koontz seems to have glanced over the photos before he began to write, but the subject of his text -- the loss of his long-suffering mother and the final, blessed end to his abusive father -- bears no connection with the pictures of sentimental European gravemarkers.
In a way, Beautiful Death is a book in three pieces. First, Koontz puts forth a theory that cemeteries are much less frightening than living people. He refutes the title of the book by describing the Death that took his mother as having “a heart of maggots.” He disputes our hope that the monuments we erect in graveyards will immortalize our loved ones, admitting that the truest memorial is the love we feel in our hearts, which vanishes with our own passing. Even markers of stone will be wiped away by an ice age or flood. Monuments in words are as fragile as the paper which holds them. Nothing survives this world, Koontz says, so he hopes for reunion in the afterlife.
It’s an excellent essay, obviously deeply felt, but its relevance to the book it introduces is not easy to fathom. Beautiful Death’s argument is disproved before it can be made.
The largest section displays the photographs. Robinson does some wonderful work playing two-dimensional stained glass against three-dimensional sculpture, creating powerful hyperreal beauty. He has a fascination for hands that reach out of graves to clutch their mates or silken flowers. It’s never made clear whether he brings his own props or simply documents offerings where he finds them.
The photos I like the best are the more artistic views: the vivid light from a stained glass window brightening a cold gray stone, or the cemetery beyond reflected in the glass of the memorial niche. Too many of the pictures (for my own taste) are strictly documentary. Anyone could have taken them. In fact, I have taken a number of them. Without commentary by the photographer, I can only place the photos in my own experience. I would rather know what he thinks.
Another drawback for someone who collects images of graveyards is that several of the photographs also appear in Robinson’s book, Saving Graces. If you claim to have taken 10,000 photographs -- and you’re only able to publish a limited number of them -- why repeat yourself?
The final third of the book is Robinson’s meditation on his work. He felt drawn to cemeteries in order to explore the sentiments there displayed. He sees them as expressions of hope -- for reunion, for immortality. Only after he discovered a deathbed photo on a grave in Rome did he realize that all the memorial pictures he had seen so far were of living people. “In the cemeteries,” he says, “death was much talked about but seldom seen.”
Robinson’s own parents were, by their own choice, cremated. He never collected their ashes. He has created this book to be their monument. It is a grand sentiment, worthy of Pere Lachaise.
Despite the problems with the book (which I admit I have because it’s not the cemetery book that I would put together), it is truly beautiful and a worthy addition to the collection of mortuary art.

This review originally appeared in Morbid Curiosity #1.

[Mloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome book, not at all macabre as one would think given the subject matter, although rightfully poignant. The photography was nothing less than beautiful and very respectful to its subjects. I've never read a Dean Koontz novel before but his contribution to this book was so wonderful, I may have to check out some of his other works in the future. I especially loved his story about receiving the phone call from his mom, telling his to be careful......*ugh* gave me goosebumps but it was cool. The passage about his wife and in the event of their passing was so touching, it nearly moved me to tears. This book was well-worth it, I'm so glad I picked it up when I had the chance.

[Cada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capturing a work of art (in this case sculptures) using photography can be somewhat challenging. David Robinson does an excellent job of portraying the beauty of cemetery art, while making art of his own. Originally I found this book at my local library some years ago and fell in love with it. Eventually I bought it and many photos inspired me in a series of paintings I did that year.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The majority of this book is made up of the author's photographs from cemeteries across Europe. I appreciated that the author chose to photograph unique aspects of everyday people's monuments. I found some of the photographs stunning, others merely interesting. The commentaries, particularly the author's, provided helpful background.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of a coffee table book, but it's perfect for those of us that feel at home in cemeteries. It is an absolutely beautiful book with photos of some of the most glorious monuments I have ever seen!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book (sans words except for the introduction) that goes shows cemetary statuary and other art from various European countries. It was very pretty, moving, and not sad at all. I do wish it had more explanations about what I was looking at.

[Batgrl (Book Data Kept Elsewhere) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primarily photographs by David Robinson, with an opening essay by Dean Koontz. Lovely art photos, but not a book you'll look to if you want to track down the exact location (or history, or name of anyone in the tombs) of any of these graves beyond the cemetery where they're located.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures of tombstones from all over Europe. My only complaint is that there was not enough, that this book should have even MORE cemetery art in it! But there are some really beautiful pieces photographed in here.

[Yamila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its interesting. Not at all what I expected. I would have liked more history and background. Pictures were nice.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narrative by Dean Koontz

[Cassandra Carico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am just mad I didn't do this first! ;)

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shows what graveyards look like in different parts of the world and unusual/ ornate statues/ monuments. Not overly impressed with the writing or the way the book was organized.

[Holly Gollnick Cotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing makes me want to go to Paris with some infrared film like this book always does!

[psvansc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done. Amazing photography.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find cemeteries to be quite beautiful. The amazing sculptures that can be found in older cemeteries can be quite breathtaking.

[Mandy Huot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photos!

[SueK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos, especially fond of the Paris cemeteries - AND a forward by Dean Koontz.

[Kim Tackitt]

This sounds fascinating.

[Christine]

beautiful pictures!!