Across the West and Toward the North: Norwegian and American Landscape Photography

Across the West and Toward the North compares how photographers in Norway and the United States represented the environment in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, challenging notions of American exceptionalism and singularly nationalistic histories. The book includes stunning photographs of mountainous landscapes, glaciers, and forests, punctuated by signs of human development and engineering.

Format: Hardback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: University of Utah Press,U.S.

Across the West and Toward the North delves into a captivating exploration of how photographers in Norway and the United States captured the essence of their respective environments during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. As remote wildernesses embarked on a journey of discovery, development, and documentation, these intrepid photographers ventured into treacherous terrain, often on foot and for extended periods, to create a visual language that would symbolize each nation. This edited volume, brought to you by Norwegian and American scholars, presents the first comprehensive study of the remarkable similarities in the creation, dissemination, and reception of these modern manifestations of landscape and nationhood. By examining how landscape photographs were imbued with meaning for international audiences, including tourists, visitors to world fairs, scientists, politicians, and immigrants, the authors challenge prevailing notions of American exceptionalism and narrowly nationalistic histories.

The book is a visual feast, featuring stunning photographs of majestic mountainous landscapes, awe-inspiring glaciers, and lush forests. These images are interspersed with poignant reminders of human intervention and engineering, showcasing the intricate interplay between nature and human civilization. With over one hundred rarely seen plates by renowned photographers such as Knud Knudsen, Anders Beer Wilse, Timothy OSullivan, Charles R. Savage, and many others, the book offers a rare glimpse into the rich photographic heritage of these two nations.

Through their lens, the photographers captured the raw beauty of nature while also revealing the impact of human activities on the environment. Their images serve as a testament to the resilience of both nature and human beings, reminding us of the delicate balance between our presence and the natural world.

This captivating exploration of the parallels between Norwegian and American landscape photography invites us to reevaluate our understanding of national identity and the role of nature in shaping our collective history. It serves as a reminder that our shared heritage is not limited to geographical boundaries but extends to the visual language we use to communicate our experiences and values.

In conclusion, Across the West and Toward the North is a must-read for anyone interested in photography, history, and the natural world. It offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of culture, landscape, and nationhood, challenging our assumptions and inspiring us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of our shared environment.

Dimension: 254 x 216 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647690618