Odde i Hardanger, Hardangerfjord [?], Noorwegen c. 1880 - 1900

This is a photograph of Odde in Hardanger, Norway, created by Knud Knudsen, a key figure in 19th-century Norwegian photography. Knudsen's photographs captured the grandeur of the Norwegian landscape. Emerging from a period of national romanticism that sought to define a unique Norwegian identity, his work emphasizes the sublime beauty of nature and rural life. What does it mean to think about these landscapes as a construction? How do we understand the ways in which Knudsen's photographs contributed to constructing a specific image of Norway, one that was deeply entwined with notions of national pride and cultural heritage? This image resonates emotionally by evoking a sense of belonging and continuity, while also framing these spaces within a narrative of national identity. The photograph serves as a mirror reflecting the evolving cultural and national consciousness of Norway, but also makes me think about the selective nature of representation and its impact on shaping collective identities.