Twee gezichten op Jonsvatnet before 1897

These photographic prints of Jonsvatnet were produced by Wilhelm Dreesen in the late 19th or early 20th century, using materials and processes that speak volumes about the era. Back then, photography was far from the instant digital medium we know today. Each print required careful labor, from preparing the light-sensitive paper to meticulously developing the image in a darkroom. Dreesen's choice of black and white adds to the images' impact, emphasizing the stark beauty of the Norwegian landscape and its play of light and shadow. What’s most interesting is the democratizing effect of photography at this time. Though landscape painting was already well established, photography offered a new, relatively accessible medium to capture and disseminate images. It allowed a broader audience to engage with art and the natural world, challenging traditional hierarchies of artistic production and consumption. Considering photography as a material practice helps us appreciate its role in shaping visual culture and democratizing artistic expression.