Last weekend I visited Norway and the Preus Museum of Photography. In 2015 they celebrate their 20th year anniversary. It is Norways National Museum of Photography, and it is situated south of Oslo. Well worth a visit if you are interested in photography.
Leif Preus (1920-2013)
Norwegian photographer, founder of Preus Foto A/S, and collector. After years in the Navy he established himself as a photographer on Storgaten in Horten in 1956. Then in 196? with the help of the municipality of Horten he expanded to include a photo laboratory which at its height had over 200 employees and more than 40 photo shops across the entire country. Preus also founded the international portrait chain Color Art Photo. In 1976 he opened his Preus Museum of Photography which exhibited parts of what had gradually become his sizable collection of photographs, cameras, and books. Thus he became instrumental in directing attention to the history of photography in Norway. In 1992 he was named an honorary member of Norwegian Association of Professional Photographers. In 1994 the Norwegian government bought Preus Fotomuseum as the basis for the future national museum of photography. Leif Preus was the museum’s first director from 1995 through February 1998. In 2003 he was named Knight, First Class, of the Order of St. Olav for his work.
Here you will find unique cameras, like the one owned by Edward Munch the famous Norwegian painter. His house is not far away from the museum. You will also find images by the great masters and a unique library.
In the fantastic library you will find some books not to be found anywhere else in the world. Some including original prints.
If you would like to know more, and I highly recommend you to, visit their site. http://www.preusmuseum.no/eng
Every month a new photographer is presented on the «Wall of Fame» – the innermost wall in the anniversary exhibition From Vision Machines to Instagram. Edward Sheriff Curtis (1868-1952) devoted himself to photographing a dying culture, the North American Indians. His images will be displayed during the month of May. These are original prints!
The museum is a living museum and the premises are just beautiful in this harbour area in Horten, Norway. Go there!
Finally I am proud to tell you that I was the first Swedish photographer to exhibit in his museum. But that was years ago.
😊 Pelle
On a photographers mind 