Gezicht op het Nærødalen in Noorwegen c. 1880 - 1898

This photograph of the Nærødalen Valley in Norway was taken by Knud Knudsen, likely in the late 19th century. It captures not only the monumental scale of the Norwegian landscape, but also offers insights into the emerging tourist industry of the time. The composition, with its winding roads and carefully framed vistas, suggests an awareness of the picturesque aesthetic then popular among European travelers. In this period, Norway marketed its untouched natural beauty to foreign visitors eager to experience the sublime. This photograph, like many others produced by Knudsen, served as a promotional tool, shaping perceptions and expectations of the country. To fully understand this image, one might research the history of tourism in Norway, examining guidebooks, travelogues, and other visual materials that contributed to the construction of its national identity. By situating Knudsen's work within this broader cultural and economic context, we can appreciate its role in mediating the relationship between landscape, representation, and social change.