Photochroms Norway 19th century

Svolvaer, Lofoten.

These magnificent color postcards from the late 19th century depict the breathtaking mountains, fjords, glaciers, and towns of Norway. The postcards were created by the Detroit Publishing Company using the Photochrom process.

Photochrom produced colorized images from a single black-and-white photographic negative via the direct photographic transfer of the negative onto lithographic printing plates. The process is a photographic variant of chromolithography (color lithography).

Because no color information was preserved in the photographic process, the photographer would make detailed notes on the colors within the scene and use the notes to hand paint the negative before transferring the image through colored gels onto the printing plates.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

The Seven Sisters, Geiranger Fjord.

Highlighting just how diverse the landscapes of Norway can be, these scenes show green pastures and sleepy villages that give way to rushing waterfalls and towering glaciers.

Norway had benefited from the 18th century which was completely free from wars and conflicts. This allowed the people of Norway to live a romantic life tending to their land and nurturing the village way of life.

A large proportion of Norwegian people were fishermen – making use of the spectacular planes of water seen throughout these images.

Urban city dwelling was uncommon – with no towns exceeding 15,000 inhabitants. Instead, the life of the Norwegian people was focused on smaller villages that cultivated tranquil communities amongst the grand settings of the mountains.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Gols Church, with Hovenstuen and Staburet, Christiania.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Panorama from St. Hanshaugen, Christiania.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Buarbreen Glacier, Odda, Hardanger Fjord.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Kongen og Dronningen, Bispen.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

A Lapp family.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

The “Nancy Grey” with a whale at Skaaro.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Smeerenburg, Spitzbergen.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Fish market, Bergen.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Hardanger girl.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Grotto in Suphellebrae, Sognefjord.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Hofsfossen with Hønefoss, Ringerike.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Nordlandsbåt, Nordland.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

The Seven Sisters, Nordland.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Kjenndalsbreen, Nordfjord.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Raftsund, Lofoten, Digermulen.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Trollfjord, Raftsund, Lofoten.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Bergen.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Vaagakallen, Kabelvaag.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

On the road to Stalheim.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Geiranger Fjord.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Nærøydalen and Stalheim Hotel.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Tvinde Waterfall and hotel.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Skjeggedalsfos, Odda, Hardanger Fjord.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Odda, Hardanger Fjord.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Folgefond Glacier, Hardanger Fjord.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Bondhus glacier and lake, Hardanger Fjord.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Åalesund.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Nærøydalen.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Tvindefossen.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

Framnāes Hotel and lake.

Photochroms Norway 19th century

The midnight sun at Bell Sound.

(Photo credit: Library of Congress / Daily Mail UK).