The Morgue, 1854, Charles Meryon, French, 1821-1868, 8 3/8 x 7 3/8 in. ( x cm) (plate), Etching, France, 19th century, The Paris morgue was built in 1568 and stood on the south side of the Ile de la Cité along the small arm of the Seine. It was here that bodies of unknown persons who had drown or met with accidental death in the streets were laid on sloping marble tablets and displayed for three days. Relatives could come claim the bodies of their loved ones, or if unclaimed, the bodies were sent to the medical school for dissection.

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Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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