This striking portrait originates from the work of Marcus Selmer, one of Norway’s earliest photographers, whose 1860s studio images preserve some of the most important early visual records of Sámi life. Here, a woman from Karasjok, dressed in traditional gákti, stands poised and dignified—an enduring symbol of the strength, identity, and presence of the Indigenous Sámi people of northern Scandinavia.

In this IkonHaus modern edition, the original hand-tinted photograph has been meticulously restored and enhanced. The subject is brought forward with greater clarity, while a soft, textured backdrop incorporates subtle, abstracted motifs inspired by Sámi cosmology and duodji (craft) patterns. These symbols—kept deliberately understated—honor cultural tradition without imitation, allowing the portrait itself to remain the focal point.

The result is a powerful fusion of 19th-century photography and contemporary design, transforming this ethnographic document into a refined, gallery-worthy artwork. A piece that carries history, resilience, and quiet beauty into the present.