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Period: to
The Victorian Era
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Spirit Photography, Melander & Bro.
“The Haunted Lane,” a trick photograph depicts a ghostly woman which terrifies two men, by Melander & Bro., 1889.
Given the time, it was reasonable to believe the afterlife could be photographed. Often, small blurs or natural errors during the photographing process occurred. Some photographers took advantage of the inconsistencies in early photographic technology, and were able to create photographs depicting full-bodied apparitions. Photos of spirit photography grew into mainstream culture. -
Book: Automatic Spirit Writing with Other Psychic Experiences
As time progressed within the Victorian Era, spiritualism began to influence research and scholarly conversations about the paranormal. Given the growing prevalence of mediums, spirit photographers, seances, and tarot readings within British culture, many scholars introduced themselves into the conversation. Sara Underwood's volume illustrates her individual experiences (ascertained by automatic writing) and piggybacks early scientific literature which "supported" paranormal theories. -
Book: Automatic Spirit Writing with Other Psychic Experiences
Photograph of original introduction page for Sara Underwood's book. -
Evelyn Pickering de Morgan (1855-1919) and Alice Kipling Fleming (1868-1948)
Evelyn Pickering de Morgan and Alice Kipling Fleming were two Victorian women who inhabited a similar social group: both were well-educated, aristocratic, and shared a unique artistic circle. Evelyn was an established painter, and Alice was a writer and poet. However, these women shared a unique interest in the paranormal and the afterlife. Hence, in secret, Evelyn painted "The Valley of Shadows" which was accompanied by Alice's "automatic writing" verses, said to be influenced by spirits. -
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CITATIONS
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Self-Assessment
