Gezicht op Kasteel Steinvikholm en fjorden in de buurt van Trondheim before 1897

Wilhelm Dreesen captured this view of Steinvikholm Castle and the fjords near Trondheim, Norway, during a time of significant national romanticism. This movement saw artists turning to the landscapes and histories of their homelands as sources of cultural identity. For Norway, still under Swedish rule during Dreesen's lifetime, this focus on distinct national characteristics was a form of cultural assertion. Through his photography, Dreesen invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between history, identity, and the natural world. The images of the castle, a site of medieval power struggles, connect viewers to Norway’s past. This castle appears as a stoic emblem of Norwegian resilience, set against the serene backdrop of the fjords. Dreesen presents us with more than just a landscape; it’s an emotional and historical narrative, told through the interplay of land, water, and the enduring stones of Steinvikholm. The image suggests a deep, abiding connection between the Norwegian people and their land.