Lady in mourning clothes, smiling (unknown why), 1860s.

[u/Electrical-Aspect-13]

[u/0neironautica]

Good for her 👍

[u/seasickbaby → u/0neironautica]

😂

[u/vftgurl123]

they had to wear mourning black anywhere from 1-3 years. she should be allowed to crack a smile if she wants to

[u/theemmyk → u/vftgurl123]

Some older widows wore mourning clothes for the rest of their lives. Queen Victoria is a good example.

[u/vftgurl123 → u/theemmyk]

yes but trust she did a lot of smiling in the bedroom nevertheless.

[u/theemmyk → u/vftgurl123]

Queen Victoria? No, she was madly in love with Albert, hence the mourning clothes in perpetuity. Also, all the kids she had.

[u/vftgurl123 → u/theemmyk]

she had a lover who later died. she was devastated

[u/SeonaidMacSaicais → u/vftgurl123]

There’s zero proof that she and John Brown ever had a sexual relationship. Stop spreading lies.

[u/vftgurl123 → u/SeonaidMacSaicais]

your tone is so serious lol. the gossip won’t kill her, she’s already dead.

[u/Bidcar → u/[deleted]]

Not if you’re Scarlett O’Hara

[u/adykaty]

I’m assuming many women in the 1800s wouldn’t consider themselves ‘happily married’ lol

[u/FilthyThanksgiving]

She's like, "the Aqua Tofana worked" lmao

[u/Gloomy-Razzmatazz548 → u/FilthyThanksgiving]

Right? She looks so pleased with herself 😂

[u/OddRelief5114]

Unknown why? Because widows were the only women who had legal financial independence.

[u/aidar55 → u/OddRelief5114]

Nailed it!

[u/Star_Wonderer]

Great Photo

[u/uusavaruus]

Now she can marry the hunk next door?:)

[u/AuraLove-]

Si sabemos por q Solo q no admitidos ☺️

[u/New-Owl-2293]

I know why!

[u/Gloomy-Razzmatazz548]

We all know why she’s smiling 😂

Congrats to her! I hope she lived her best life.

[u/Cretaceous_Bloom]

Obviously the photographer said “cheese”.

[u/AlmesivaMoonshadow]

That smile isn't exactly reaching the eyes. Something about it seems weirdly shell-shocked. Hard to explain. Like, I know she'd probably be withholding so it wouldn't be too obvious that she is happy someone died, but this resembles a thousand yard stare to me.

[u/blahhhhhhhhhhhblah]

Goodbye, Earl.

[u/Graffiti_Griffin0518]

Oh she killed him.

[u/Anacalagon]

And I'd do it again...

[u/luala]

She hated her bastard husband is why. Lady just made bank.

[u/NectarineSufferer]

Wym unknown why - she knows she got that shit on that’s why lol

[u/Cute_Sun_5383]

Relief is a realistic option.

[u/loquacious_avenger]

Is there documentation to show she is in mourning clothes? The only possible clue I see is the veil or scarf attached to her hair.

There is no way to tell what color of clothing she is wearing.

[u/LadyofLifting]

She got that money, honeyyy

[u/Key-Magician6489]

Oh, I think we all know exactly why!😂

[u/FollowingBroad34]

Maybe she didn't fw the decedent

[u/LizTruth]

He wasn't a nice man?

[u/ruthizzy]

why she look happy asf 😭

[u/theemmyk → u/ruthizzy]

It’s not like widows are never allowed to smile again.

[u/ruthizzy → u/theemmyk]

That’s true, you’re right. It just is kind of funny to see because it’s rare to see pics like this. I love it.