Living Hell: Terrifying Photographs of the Early Twentieth Century

Fashion for strange photos appeared long ago - then they took pictures of the “afterlife horrors”, now they are taking photos at the edge of a skyscraper. Everyone wants to attract attention and excite minds.

At the turn of the century, the nineteenth and twentieth, there was a tendency to take pictures sincere, intriguing, or creepy with skeletons. There were a lot of subjects for pictures.

We suggest you look at a selection of vintage postcards of the time, which depict similar subjects.

The history of this picture deserves special attention. It is made in the catacombs of the Roman monastery of the Capuchins. In the Middle Ages, the monks discovered that the bodies in the local cemetery undergo natural mummification, and immediately took advantage of this magical property of the local land - they mummified the deceased specially revered monk. News of this spread far around, and soon all the funeral processions reached out towards the monastery. Everyone wanted to mummify their beloved deceased relatives. As a result, all the cellars of the monastery were filled with corpses, of which subsequently they laid out such an exquisite ornament, captured in the photo.

A series of "touching" pictures with skeletons. Ladies of varying degrees of bareness gently hug, stroke and chat with well-polished human remains.

Next, a series of photographs entitled "Lady and Death" - a brilliant social propaganda of the dangers of alcohol and gambling for its time.

And this is a mechanical girl created by French scientists in the late 18th century.

Children's portrait "as a keepsake" with Krampus, circa 1900.

The crime scene, which served as the prototype of the Amityville Horror.

Table setting for unloved guests.

Mediums were held in high esteem; many thought that psychics were the future. Photo of 1912.

A counter with glass eyes of different colors and "styles."

Puppet production, circa 1900.

A woman who looks too much like an imitation doll, 1865. Very creepy.

Artists before the performance.

Farmer and his creative work.

Angel of death, 1863.