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, creating a visual language that symbolized each nation. The book includes stunning photographs of mountainous landscapes, glaciers, and forests, punctuated by signs of human development and engineering.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 10 June 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 survey, development, and photographic documentation, these intrepid artists forged a unique visual language that came to 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 expressions of landscape and nationhood. By delving into the ways in which 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 singularly nationalistic histories.

The book is a visual feast, adorned with stunning photographs that showcase the majestic beauty of mountainous landscapes, expansive glaciers, and dense forests. These images are punctuated by poignant signs of human development and engineering, providing a poignant contrast between nature's untamed splendor and the imprint of human intervention. With over one hundred rarely seen plates by renowned photographers such as Knud Knudsen, Anders Beer Wilse, Timothy O. Sullivan, 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 awe-inspiring scale and grandeur of the natural world, as well as the intricate details of human settlements and industrial endeavors. Their images not only documented the physical landscape but also revealed the cultural and historical significance of these places, providing a window into the lives and experiences of the people who called them home.

In addition to its visual appeal, Across the West and Toward the North offers valuable insights into the historical and cultural contexts in which these photographs were produced. The authors explore the role of photography in shaping public perception, influencing political discourse, and fostering a sense of national identity. They also examine the ways in which landscape photographs were circulated and consumed, both within and outside the respective nations, and how they contributed to the construction of national narratives and stereotypes.

By examining the parallels and contrasts between Norwegian and American landscape photography, this book offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between nature, culture, and the nation-state. It sheds light on the shared experiences and challenges faced by these two countries as they navigated the process of modernization and urbanization, and how photography played a crucial role in shaping their collective memory and sense of place.

In conclusion, Across the West and Toward the North is a must-read for anyone interested in photography, history, and the cultural landscapes of Norway and the United States. It is a testament to the power of visual storytelling and the enduring significance of landscape photography in capturing the essence of a nation and its people. Through its stunning images and insightful analysis, this book invites us to reflect on the ways in which nature, culture, and technology intersect, and to appreciate the rich tapestry of human history and experience that is woven into the fabric of our world.

Weight: 431g
Dimension: 254 x 216 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647690625