I've always loved visiting cemeteries; I know that some people don't like them, but I find them to be peaceful, beautiful places. Spring Grove is by far the most beautiful that I've visited, and I feel lucky that it's right down the street from me. It's the second largest cemetery in America, and it has a truly fascinating history (there's a short summary here). In addition to being a cemetery, Spring Grove is an arboretum with a landscape that was meticulously planned in order to look like a perfect version of nature. Gorgeous.
Even more than the natural beauty of the place, however, I love Spring Grove for its monuments. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this here before, but my archaeological specialty is Roman tombs. I use the words and images on tombs to reconstruct people's lives - in my opinion there is no better way to know people from the past than through the impressions they wanted to leave behind. Spring grove is full of fascinating and beautiful monuments; I think I could spend years visiting them all.
Allegorical characters - personifications of ideas like "peace" or "piety"- were popular for tombs in the 19th century, and are present throughout spring grove. I love these graceful sculptures.
I also have a soft spot for the tombs that place sculptures in small structures - these are modelled after Roman tombs of the aedicula (little temple) type.
One of my favorite Spring Grove tombs is this sculpted tree (truncated to represent life cut short: the Victorians were fascinated with the loss of death).
The names of deceased family members are inscribed on leaves that wrap around the trunk, as well as on the logs that stand at its base.
Of course, looking at tombs doesn't have to be all serious. For instance, was this man married to his sister, or simply to a woman with the exact same name as his sister? Discuss.
I hope your week is off to a great start! And for those of you who aren't so into tombs, I also took *lots* more spring flower pictures, which I'll be sure to post later this week.
17 comments:
Oh wow, what an interesting thing to specialise in! My Medieval lit modules pale in comparison! We have one of those little temple tombs on a hill nearby...I'll have to have a closer look!
Love cemetaries! Actually, I just dragged my boyfriend to one last weekend. I take all my best pictures there. My favorites are the small, hidden graveyards where the South Georgia soil has made the headstones crack and slide into the earth. These are gorgeous too and I would love to visit this someday.
There's a coffee table book out about Spring Grove. It was a give-a-way for NPR Spring Fund drive... *googling* Amazon Link
I've taken some really good photos for my photography class in a cemetery!
Also, your job sounds so interesting!
so pretty! I will be in the nati the 1st weekend of may, & this post is getting pumped up for my roadtrip!
I love cemetaries, too. I did a post a while back about the beauty of Pere LeChaise, I've been thinking about taking more photos of tombstones and the plants in the Old Dublin cemetary near us. Your photos remind me of Greenlawn in Columbus, where James Thurber is buried under a very unassuming tombstone. If you're ever in Columbus and you have some time to spare, I think you'd like it there.
great photos! I love cemeteries too
carrie
I am happy to know I am not the only one that loves to photograph in cemeteries. Your photographs are beautiful.
I love that tree tomb stone!
I love old cemeteries too! Especially Catholic ones-- I first found them to be so peaceful several years ago in southern France. I like the ceramic flowers they place on the graves, and the plastic flowrs too. A couple of years ago in New Orleans I really enjoyed visiting the cemeteries there too-- gorgeous statues.
That is the most beautiful cemetery I could ever imagine.
Wow, that is absolutely amazing! I'm particularly fascinated by the tree trunk one. I think we mostly just have plain tombstones around here... but then again, I guess I've never really taken a good look around a cemetery. I'll have to add it to my to do-list!
Cemeteries are so peaceful to walk in and nature is always gorgeous in there. I love your photos, they're great!
Check it out, we be twins:
http://e-tells-tales.blogspot.com/search/label/cemeteries
Although yours is much more fantastic than anything I saw growing up in Alabama :)
oooh beautiful! looks like a lovely day
wow well i will definitely add this cemetery as a "must see" if I ever get the chance. sounds beautiful!
Thanks everyone - I'm glad you like the pictures (and that no one thinks I'm weird and angsty for loving cemeteries, haha). Spring Grove is definitely a must see if you are ever in Cincinnati.
Bethany, that book is going on my wishlist! Thanks!
Anna, what are you up to in Cincinnati? We should go thrifting!
Erin, I believe that Greenlawn and Spring Grove had some of the same people involved in planning and design, so that makes sense! I've never made a trip to Greenlawn, but I would love to.
Elizabeth, my mom used to take me to cemeteries, too! Plus, I also liked to fall in love with handsome men in romantic old pictures. Ah, strange childhoods...
And yes, I really really love my job (most days, at least!).
I'm very intrigued by that carved tree! And I really don't know what do think about that man and his name-sharing wife and sister.
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