His photographs aroused much controversy. His positives were revealing ethereal beings, which appeared very similar to portraits of dead relatives. For this reason, some accused Mumler of burglary and theft of family photos.
Looking today at the work of this controversial photographer, I have mixed feelings. Ethereal figures in the pictures appear to be a simple trick, but on the other hand ... who is able to exclude the possibility that William H. Mumler actually had the gift of vision?
