Flower Piece at Kate Bemis' Funeral 13 - 1886

This stereograph, “Flower Piece at Kate Bemis’ Funeral,” was made by D.A. Clifford in Vermont. It's a poignant example of Victorian sentimentality, captured through the then-modern medium of photography. The image shows an elaborate floral arrangement, meticulously crafted to spell out "Sister." Consider the labor involved: not only in cultivating the flowers, but in arranging them so precisely, and then photographing the result. It speaks to the deep emotions and social customs surrounding death in the 19th century. The stereograph itself was a mass-produced object, a popular form of entertainment and documentation. Its existence points to the commodification of grief, and the intersection of personal sorrow with burgeoning visual culture. By looking closely at the materials and the making of this piece, we can better appreciate its cultural significance, and move beyond traditional boundaries between art, craft, and everyday life.