Rjukanfossen in Telemark, Noorwegen 1873 - 1890

Knud Knudsen made this stereoscopic photograph of Rjukanfossen in Telemark, Norway, sometime in the late 19th century. During this period, Norway was experiencing a surge in national romanticism, where artists turned to the landscape to define a distinct Norwegian identity. Knudsen, as a commercial photographer, captured this movement by documenting Norway's majestic landscapes, like the Rjukanfossen waterfall. Notice how Knudsen positions the waterfall not just as a natural phenomenon, but as a symbol of national pride and identity. The stereoscopic format would have given viewers an immersive, almost palpable experience of the Norwegian landscape. The figures at the base of the falls appear humbled by its scale, suggesting a deep respect for nature. This approach resonated with a growing desire among Norwegians to assert their cultural independence and historical identity. Through his lens, Knudsen invites us to consider the power of landscape in shaping cultural identity, and how photography can be used to evoke a sense of national pride and belonging.