Ectoplasm and Spirit Photography: The Visual Language of Victorian Mediumship

In the Victorian era, Spiritualists sought to make the invisible visible. Through ectoplasm and spirit photography, mediums claimed to offer tangible proof of the afterlife. This article explores the mysterious substance said to emerge from mediums during séances and the ghostly images captured on early photographic plates—practices that both fascinated believers and fueled skeptical inquiry. Discover how these visual tools shaped the spiritual landscape of the 19th century.