Blind or Deceased? Opinions Sought Please

[annmck]

I'm with Jim!

Have seen many photos described as post mortem, many are, others are less certain & some are very doubtful...I don't think this is a post mortem image at all.

 I'd say this little poppet's appearance is due to any one of, or any combination of: pale eye colour, visual impairment, other physical/intellectual disability, propensity to bolt when anxious, simple non-compliance

(It would be interesting to discover more about this child's fate!)

In this period, such a special event as having a photo taken, would, I think, see the parents wanting to present their children to best advantage, as they perceived it. Crouching behind a curtain to covertly direct/encourage/support/manage is quite common with unsettled littlies.

There is such a lovely tenderness in the older child's supportive pose, isn't there?

[cazza59]

I think we will have to agree to disagree.  As Carol said, when you've restored 1000s of photos, you get a feel for these things plus I think many people find it hard to accept that you could be looking at a dead child.

Anyway, we could debate this all day, but we'll never know for sure.

Caz

[groom]

Am I right in thinking that this is an unknown family, so there is no way we can try and find them in a census, or find a death?

[Treetotal]

Yes Jan...you are right...it's a recently acquired addition to my collection so sadly there is no way of knowing if the child has a disability or if she died young.

I guess we all have our own opinions on this one, but I appreciate the input from everyone and it's good to hear the varying points of view and it is a good talking point. The whole pose is unnatural and doesn't sit well with me and that's my reason for posting this one...I agree with Caz that it appears that someone is holding her arm behind the curtain.

Thanks everyone for your interest and your input. Who knows...one day someone just might come along and claim these two little darlings and put us out of our misery 

Carol

[starcat]

Just a couple of observations, there is a definate bulge in the curtain level with where the little ones left  hand is that we cant see, there is also something solid under the elbow of the other girl, is there some sort of stand holding the little one up.

[Treetotal]

Thanks for your interest Starcat...I think what you can see under the bigger girl's elbow is just the wall behind her arm...I agree with your observation of the curtain but can't see any evidence of a posing stand.
Carol

[josey]

Is the dark mark behind the younger child's right leg just a stain on the photo?

And FWIW....apart from the full skirt the younger child looks a bit like a boy to me...

[Treetotal]

Hi Josie...I think the mark is a tassel hanging from a cord on the dress....I never considered that it could be a boy  ...interesting point as the younger child is wearing boots and the older one is wearing shoes.

Carol

[josey]

interesting point as the younger child is wearing boots and the older one is wearing shoes.

One reason that made me think that way too; could be the child [alive or dead] was easier to stand up in boots...