MEMENTO MORI CLASSIFYING 19TH CENTURY ONTARIO GRAVESTONES

WHY IS IT NEEDED? “Some people felt that what I was beginning to study was merely quaint, much like hand embroidered valentines. I was told the old stones had no meaning and their study had best be left to amateur antiquarians.” Allan Ludwig – art historian, photographer, gravestone scholar Gravestone iconography exhibits a remarkable progression of artistic ability, culture and religious expression throughout the 19th century. Unfortunately the study of gravestone motifs has been virtually ignored. The emphasis has been placed on transcribing the biographical data and, in some cases, the epitaphs while ignoring for the most part, the motifs present on the gravestones.

TEN YEARS APART A sense of urgency is reflected in the fact transcription records prepared a mere thirty years ago for graveyards in Oshawa, Ontario contain information which is unavailable now in the cemeteries due to deterioration or theft of stones. It is vital that this information be systematically recorded.

AREA OF RESEARCH - SOUTHERN ONTARIO Although imagery on the 19th century Ontario gravestones was most certainly influenced by the New England traditions, several designs are not present in Ontario. For example the death's head. Large parts of Ontario were first settled towards the end of the 18th century after the popularity of these particular styles had begun to diminish. Gravestone studies in Canada must account for the unique aspects of the tradition as it developed here while at the same time acknowledge the influences from New England.

RESULTS The result of my research was the publication Memento Mori: Classifying Nineteenth Century Ontario Gravestones

A GOOD PLAN By far the best categorization system proposed for Ontario appears in Early Ontario Gravestones by Carol Hanks (1974). Hanks was the first to recognize the importance of a standardized classification approach to gravestones based on iconography. She identified six categories of motifs; classical revival, hands, flowers, animals and angels with the sixth category, miscellaneous, to account for all other motifs. Although many of her observations are influenced by her background in art, I argue, with some minor revisions in terminology, this system could be used as a basis to develop a province wide classification system.

MOTIF CATEGORIES Hands Floral Classical Revival Figures Animals Miscellaneous No motif The classification system I proposed modifies Hanks' conclusions to allow for a simpler and flexible approach to studying gravestone motifs on 19th century Ontario stones. I believe only 7 categories are required to accommodate the majority of motifs. The categories proposed are as follows; hands, floral, classical revival, figures, animals, miscellaneous and motif-less (none)

HANDS Subdivided into 4 categories, Upwards Pointing Hand Hand Descending from Sky Clasping Hands Upwards Presenting Hands Symbolically hands represent an expression of a relationship, most commonly between the living and the dead.

UPWARDS POINTING HAND First finger of right hand pointing upwards Often seen with short phrase Popular

DESCENDING HAND Rarest of 4 subcategories Symbolically represents hand of God therefore different from Upwards Presenting Often holds a scroll

CLASPING HANDS Most numerous and longest lasting of hand motifs Meanings may include a union or symbol of greeting, hope to meet a love one again Loved ones are united in spirit although separated physically

UPWARDS PRESENTING HAND Usually holding an item such as a Bible, flowers Common in my sample during 1860s and 1870s

CLASSICAL REVIVAL Appear by 1830, peak in 1850s, 1860s Manifest as willow trees, obelisks, urns Linked to interest in Greek and Roman design

FIGURES Human figures are defined as those figures representing persons and may include representations of allegorical figures such as Adam and Eve. The mourning female, often carved as kneeling, leaning or crouching, is most common

DIVINE Manifest as angels, winged soul/cherub effigies May carry wreaths, scrolls and trumpets. Usually seen in combination with another motif – classical revival in particular

FLORAL Most popular Used symbolically to portray a certain meaning or sentiment or as a decorative element to enhance the stones

ANIMALS Most animal motifs are limited to birds, in particular doves, and lambs both well known Christian symbols for devotion, purity and peace and in religion is a symbol of the Holy Ghost. The dove and the lamb were both viewed as particularly well suited for the stones of children

MISCELLANEOUS “Catch-all” category Designs related to occupation, affiliations with secret societies and organizations

NO MOTIF Intentionally have no motif Cost prohibitive, more elaborative marker at a later time

MEMENTO MORI: CLASSIFYING 19 TH CENTURY ONTARIO GRAVESTONES Available from LuLu.com or the Oshawa Museum Connect with Laura Suchan on Facebook at