Gezicht op een meer in een berglandschap (Noorwegen?) 1900

Henry Pauw van Wieldrecht created this photograph of a Norwegian, or possibly Norwegian, mountain lake at an unknown date. Here we see what was a popular subject at the time, an untouched natural scene that invited the viewer to imagine themselves away from the trappings of modern, industrial life. By the late 19th century, photography was increasingly being used as a tool for tourism, as various European nations sought to capitalize on their natural assets, selling the fantasy of escape to the wealthy urban classes. While appearing objective, this photograph creates meaning through the framing of the shot, it promotes an idea of national identity in an age when the concept of nationhood was still being heavily contested. The image hides the realities of contemporary life, but opens up a window onto the socio-political and economic forces that shaped it. We might use travel writing and tourist guides from the period to more fully understand the social role of this image.