Expositie van Noorse objecten tijdens de wereldtentoonstelling te Antwerpen 1894

Th. Lantin made this photographic print of the Norwegian section of the Antwerp World Fair, most likely in 1894. The photograph captures Norway's contribution to this festival of progress, showcasing a variety of objects likely made with materials sourced from the country's rich natural resources, from wood and metal, to textiles, all pointing to specific modes of skilled labor and production. We see various items on display, including examples of intricate woodworking, textiles, and possibly metalwork. Each of these crafts has its own history, tradition, and community of makers, and they reflect the cultural identity and industrial capabilities of Norway at the time. The arrangement of the objects, meticulously displayed in glass cases, invites us to consider the amount of work and resources required to present this curated view of a nation. Looking closely at these materials, methods, and context encourages us to reconsider our understanding of fine art and craft, and to delve into the social, cultural, and economic implications of these processes.