Traditional Dress from Surendal, 1800s

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Norwegian Folk Costumes from Surendal – Tonsberg Edition, 1860s This engaging 19th-century chromolithograph depicts a couple in traditional costume from … Read more Norwegian Folk Costumes from Surendal – Tonsberg Edition, 1860s This engaging 19th-century chromolithograph depicts a couple in traditional costume from Surendal (modern-day Surnadal), a region in central Norway known for its mountainous terrain and rich rural culture. The scene is set in the forested highlands, with pine trees and rugged hills rising in the background. Both figures are carrying game, suggesting a successful hunting or trapping excursion and giving insight into rural livelihood. The man is shown from behind, wearing a dark brown jacket and breeches, yellow stockings, and black shoes with red garters. His tall wool cap is striped in blue, white, and red. Draped over his shoulder is a large antlered deer, and a hunting knife hangs at his side. The woman stands facing forward, wearing a dark pleated skirt with red socks and a patterned apron over a red-trimmed bodice. Her cap is a simpler version of the man’s, and she carries a freshly caught bird in each hand. This print is Plate 10 from the series Udvalgte Norske Nationaldragter, or Selected Norwegian National Costumes. It was published by Chr. Tonsberg in Christiania (now Oslo), printed by Winckelmann and Sonner in Berlin, and based on a design by Johan Fredrik Eckersberg, a leading figure of the Norwegian national romantic art movement. The series aimed to document the diversity of traditional dress in Norway during the mid-19th century, a time when national identity was gaining cultural importance. This composition is especially notable for depicting working life rather than ceremonial dress, making it a valuable piece of visual folklore and an attractive artwork for collectors. Condition: Very good condition with clear image and strong color. Minor foxing near the bottom edge and slight toning in the margins, but the image remains unaffected. Framing tips: Frame with medium or dark wood to complement the earthy tones. Use an off-white or light tan mount to highlight the fine detail. Suitable for rustic, traditional, or hunting lodge-inspired interiors. See less