When we visit the graves of our loved ones, we want to recall, if only for a moment, their smile, the twinkle in their eye or the joy they radiated whilst they were alive. Commemorating the image of someone who has left this world is a tradition that dates back to ancient Egypt. How is it that this tradition has remained with us to this day in the form of gravestone photographs on porcelain or crystal, or three-dimensional portraits on ceramics? Discover the history of cemetery culture, which today enables us to utilise modern technologies in our day-to-day work on our projects!
The history of gravestone portraits
The burial of the deceased has long been associated with private, religious and social ceremonies, and decorating graves with portraits of the deceased was an important part of this. History shows that, in the past, such likenesses were reserved for the wealthy and took the form of hand-crafted coffin portraits. They appeared in this form as early as in ancient Egypt, but also left their mark in our country. They were an integral part of Sarmatian culture and art and were small works of painting from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The history of gravestone photography – a step into the modern age!
The next step in commemorating loved ones was the transition from traditional portraits to ceramic photographs. The history of photoceramics began in the late 19th century, when it was used to embellish monuments to famous figures. A little later, the use of ceramics began to extend into applied art and was employed to commemorate the deceased from various social classes.
What does a gravestone photograph look like today?
Among the original methods used to commemorate the deceased was the collodion process, which involved applying a photograph using a special film onto the surface of a chosen ceramic material and firing it in a kiln. Nowadays, this process utilises equipment that transfers pigment onto the chosen material, creating a high-quality image on porcelain or crystal.
At the Betimo studio, we strive to uphold tradition whilst incorporating modern and, above all, durable solutions, enabling us to provide you with high-quality cemetery ornaments or commemorative photographs on crystal. Take a look at our portfolio and our full range of services for retail and corporate clients!
