Norwegian Costume, 1860s, Paper

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Norwegian Folk Costumes from Hitterdal in Telemarken – Tonsberg Edition, 1860s This beautifully executed 19th-century chromolithograph shows traditional male and … Read more Norwegian Folk Costumes from Hitterdal in Telemarken – Tonsberg Edition, 1860s This beautifully executed 19th-century chromolithograph shows traditional male and female costumes from Hitterdal, a historic area in Telemarken, Norway. A young couple is depicted in an intimate scene, with the man seated on a rock and reaching for the woman's scarf as she looks at him kindly. In the background, snow-capped mountains and a small farmhouse suggest a highland setting typical of the region. The woman wears a striking red blouse with blue and green trim, a black wool skirt with red hem, and floral embroidery along the bottom edge. Her hair is wrapped in a richly patterned scarf and tied at the back. She holds another scarf, possibly as part of a romantic exchange or traditional courtship custom. The man is dressed in a white embroidered jacket with red and blue detailing, matching knee-breeches, and white wool stockings fastened with embroidered garters. His flat woolen cap and hand gesture add life to the composition. This image is Plate 2 from the series Udvalgte Norske Nationaldragter, meaning Selected Norwegian National Costumes. It was published by Chr. Tonsberg in Christiania (now Oslo) and printed by Winckelmann and Sonner in Berlin. The design is after an original by Johan Fredrik Eckersberg, one of Norway’s foremost painters of the period. The series aimed to document Norway’s rich variety of regional dress and preserve it as part of the growing national identity movement of the mid-19th century. This print is an exceptional example of romantic ethnographic art with historic and decorative value, ideal for collectors of Scandinavian cultural heritage. Condition: Very good condition with clean margins, bright original colors, and only minor age toning at the edges. A fine and well-preserved impression from a rare and important series. Framing tips: Frame in walnut, mahogany, or matte black wood. Use a cream or light grey mount to emphasize the strong costume colors. Ideal for interior themes celebrating Scandinavian history or rural romance. See less