early life and career oscar gustave rejlander , a swedish photographer, was born on october 19, 1813, in stockholm, sweden. he was the son of carl gustaf rejlander, a stonemason and swedish army officer. during his youth, his family moved to the swedish-speaking community in rauma, grand duchy of finland (then part of russia).
photography career rejlander's early profession was as a painter and portrait miniaturist. however, in the 1850s, he abandoned this path and set up as a photographer in wolverhampton, england. he learned the wet-collodion and waxed-paper processes with nicholas henneman in london, eventually transitioning to running his own photography studio. rejlander's work included genre studies, portraiture, and nude studies, often created for painters. his early work was aided by a local troupe of theatrical performers. he experimented with combination printing, creating elaborate composite photographs that showcased his technical expertise.
notable works and exhibitions *
the two ways of life , 1856, is one of rejlander's most famous allegorical works. * his participation in the paris exhibition of 1855 marked a significant milestone in his career. * a notable portrait of charles lutwidge dodgson (lewis carroll), with whom he corresponded on technical matters, showcases rejlander's photographic skill.
legacy and later life rejlander died in clapham, london, on january 18, 1875. his pioneering work in photomontage and photography has left a lasting impact on the art world.
rejlander's legacy continues to inspire photographers and artists alike, cementing his place in the history of victorian art photography.
By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team
Updated Sept. 3, 2026
