93. RECUERDO DE PATAY, Pinoy Photos of the Dead

Looking at post-mortem photos can evoke feelings of discomfort and unease, causing shivers to run down our spine. The idea of a dead person being captured in an image can be frightening to some, and the thought of these photos potentially coming back to haunt us only adds to the creepiness.

While not everyone is comfortable with collecting these types of photos, it's important to preserve them as a reminder of the past. These photos serve as a reminder to honor and remember our loved ones who have passed away. They may not be pleasant to look at, but they play an important role in preserving cultural and historical memories.

Recuerdo de Patay, or memento mori, typically features intimate portraits of the deceased, either in close-up shots of the face or full-body shots. The goal was to present the subject as if they were simply resting, with a peaceful and lifelike appearance. The use of coffins in these photographs was limited, as the focus was more on preserving the memory of the deceased in a personal manner. Photo of a wealthy mid-aged woman. Ca. 1920's 

In Philippine culture, the practice of post-mortem photography, also known as Recuerdo de Patay, memorial or mourning portraits, or memento mori, involves capturing images of the recently deceased. This form of portraiture gained popularity in the Philippines with the arrival of the Americans and the introduction of photography in the late 19th century.

Prior to the invention of photography, families would commission painted portraits to commemorate their loved ones. With the advent of photography, post-mortem photos became a more affordable option for families to preserve the memory of their loved ones. Photographers would often visit the family's home to take the photo, and the deceased would be posed in a lifelike manner, as if they were simply sleeping.

In the Philippines, post-mortem photos were treasured keepsakes to remember the deceased, particularly for families who had lost infants and young children, who often had few other images of their child. The later invention of the carte de visite allowed multiple copies of the photo to be made and sent to relatives.

Postcard of a dead Baby being serenaded. Ca. 1910's

Despite their popularity, post-mortem photos were sometimes criticized for their macabre nature and were seen as being in bad taste by some. The practice eventually declined as "snapshot" photography became more widespread. Today, post-mortem photos are considered historical artifacts, serving as a reminder of the cultural practices of a bygone era.

While the portrayal of post-mortem photos has become increasingly viewed as vulgar, sensationalistic, and taboo in many cultures, the works of contemporary artists continue to pay tribute to the memory of the deceased and shed light on the original intent of these photographic mementos. In this way, they remind us of the importance of honoring and remembering our loved ones through post-mortem portraits.

Reference: Wikipedia

Recuerdos de Patay of a young boy. Ca. 1920's

Filomena Almarines. The Dead and the Living, Aug 13-38 - July 6-13.  Taken by Ledesma Studio. Binan, Laguna.  For more information view And All The Angels and Saints site

Post-mortem photo of an old woman. Circa 1918

Recuerdos de Patay. Ca. 1920's

Recuerdos de Patay of a grandma. Ca. 1910's

Recuerdos de Patay of a mid aged man. Ca. 1920's

Recuerdos de Patay of a grandma. Ca. 1940's

Recuerdos de Patay of a grandma. Ca. 1950's

Recuerdos de Patay of a baby. Ca. 1922

Young children were commonly depicted in a peaceful position on a couch or in a crib, and in some cases, posed with a beloved toy or other item of play. It was frequent to capture photographs of young children with a family member. Recuerdos de Patay of a baby. Ca. 1930's

Recuerdos de Patay of an old Mom. Ca. 1920's

Recuerdos de Patay of a baby. Ca. 1929

Recuerdos de Patay of a family member. Ca. 1950's

Recuerdos de Patay of a child. Ca. 1930's