Science, nature and the occult were at the forefront of thought in laboratories and drawing rooms throughout Victorian Europe. In the 19th century advances in technology entwined with Romantic trends in art, culture and literature. From these fertile grounds rose the tale of the Loreley, and industry created monsters.
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Pursuits such as butterfly collecting and taxidermy gained popular favor as a way to bring the outdoors indoors, for fun, mental health or objects of study. Taxidermy was no longer the domain of professionals, as amateurs and hobbyists stitched, stretched and stuffed everything from fish to wildlife to pets.
The inquiring Victorian mind was not satisfied with wild animals or beloved pets. Interest turned to stuffing dead relatives. Human taxidermy aroused the imagination of scientists, philosophers and writers.
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In 1820, Sarah Bowdich, an English author, zoologist, botanist and explorer produced a taxidermy manual discussing the difficulties in use of taxidermy on humans, among other topics. The book went through six editions until 1843.
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Photography, developed in the 19th century, moved to celluloid film and cameras anyone could use, replacing the need for professionals. The first "personal" camera made by Kodak in 1888 came loaded with 100 shots. The photographer sent the whole thing back to the company for developing.
While human taxidermy was expensive and rare, the trend of death photography zoomed. People often took pictures with the deceased, posing with the person, dressing and seating the corpse at the dinner table as if still alive.
Rigor mortis sets in after about 2 hours in the facial muscles, and leaves 24 hours after death, about the same time maggots start to hatch. A body smells of escaping gasses and rotting flesh after a few days, depending on climate, so time is limited.
Victorians were much closer to the reality of death than we are today. Wakes were held in the home for up to several days. Death protocol included wearing black, a tradition dating back to the Romans. It became widespread after 1861, when Queen Victoria wore black to mourn her beloved husband Albert.
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Both human death photography and taxidermy were seen as a way to preserve the memory of the person, especially one much beloved. In terms of the occult or supernatural, it could also be a conduit to communication with the dead.
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