The Premature Burial

"There are certain themes of which the interest is all-absorbing, but which are too entirely horrible for the purposes of legitimate fiction." Edgar Allan Poe - The Premature Burial, 1844.

L'Inhumation Précipitée, Antoine-Joseph Wiertz, 1854. Wiertz Museum, Brussels.

For this project I again drew inspiration from a work of art: a 19^th century painting titled “The Premature Burial” (original title: "L'Inhumation Précipitée") by the Flemish painter and sculptor Antoine-Joseph Wiertz.

This haunting painting has always fascinated me, and has often been used to illustrate articles and in documentaries on this particular subject. It depicts a victim of cholera, a disease which took many lives in 19^th century Europe, having been entombed in a crypt, while still alive. 

Illustration of a 'safety coffin'.

The fear of premature burial was very real in those days, and led to bizarre manifestations, such as 'safety coffins' fitted with escape hatches and even bells, so that its occupant could warn those above ground that one was still alive ‘down below’! In fact, some believe that the expression "saved by the bell"  relates to these 'safety coffins', although this cannot be supported by any evidence.


The shadow box

As was the case with previous projects, the biggest challenge here was dealing with the limited available space, specially the restricted depth of the shadow box! For how on earth can one turn such a complex, two-dimensional painting into a three-dimensional scene, using only a few inches of space and still remain faithful to the original? 

I tried to solve this puzzle by bringing the original painting back to its bare essence. The figure in the coffin, which takes center stage in Wiertz’s work of art, remained in place, as did other distinctive features such as the arch in the background wall, and the pillar to the right, holding a sepulchral urn. This urn is only partially visible in the original painting, but I completed it using a 19^th century example for reference. 

The text written on the coffin is a faithful reproduction of the original, as is the black cross painted on its lid. It reads: MORT DU CHOLERA / Certifié par nous Docteurs / Sandoutes, which translates as: "Diseased of cholera / certified by our doctors", and "Sandoutes" which could be interpreted as "without doubt". The latter acquires a morbid meaning, considering the fact that the poor diseased was not quite yet.... diseased.

I also added bones made of polymer clay, more or less as shown in the painting, but left the frog and the spider out (sorry guys!), as well as the coffin sitting on top of the one with its unfortunate occupant. 

And, just like with previous projects, this shadow box contains ‘hidden objects’ in the shape of decayed coffins behind the wall at the back. These are illustrated in the images below, and are invisible to the viewer of the finished shadow box.

Figure in coffin without lid.

Cobwebs and a ceiling with peeling plaster were also added, using some 'artistic license'. These were of course not part of Wiertz's painting either, but this is how I imagine an old, damp vault to be. If anything, it adds to the overall atmosphere of decay of the scene.

Horrible as the idea of premature burial really is, this painting also holds a glimmer of hope, at least in my view. Because the occupant of the casket can actually open its lid, to find himself in a crypt from which he can eventually escape. So, to me, the message here is that one must never give up hope, even in the most adverse of circumstances. Tea, anyone?!

Last but note least: the average time for me to complete a shadow box is one month, but this one only took me two weeks. What can I say: sometimes, things just go smoothly. Or, as Hannibal Smith of "The A-Team" would say: "I love it, when a plan comes together!"

Thanks for visiting, and be well!

"The Premature Burial" (Original title: “L’Inhumation Précipitée”, 2017, shadow box, 7x5x2,5 inch).

 © José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be published or reproduced without prior, written authorization from the author.