Cadaver Monuments

By Crusader1307

Much as with the development of ‘’Effigy Monuments’’ for Tombs, These were seen as a form of tangible means of a Deceased Loved Ones, still be able to ‘’see’’ and ‘’touch’’ Them. Often, perfection was the watch word for the carving of such Funeral Statuary. But by The Late Medieval Ages and into the early Renaissance Period, Society’s perception of Death changed. No longer seen as a sure fact of Life (in that Death follows), some Countries, such as Italy and France began to embrace the true ‘’appearance’’ of Death. Enter The ‘’Cadaver Monument’’. For some ‘’forward thinking’’ Nobility who espoused the Philosophy of ‘’True Biological’’ Death, an art form which involved the carving of not ‘’reposing dead’’ but ‘’decomposing dead’’. Full skeletons were carved to replace ‘’formed figures’’. In some cases, statues were carved in various forms of known decomposition. Used as Tomb (Sarcophagus) Seals, These rather ‘’gruesome’’ visages were not seen as scary or crass, but an acceptance of ''true end to all Life'’ (via it’s natural decomposition to ‘’dust’’). By the 18^th Century, The ‘’Cadaver Monuments’’ began to be accepted by even those of little Title or Wealth. Stonemasons began to carve Skulls (profile and façade), into Headstones. The practice would flourish well into the late 19^th Century AD.