Olaf Christoffersen
Photograph by Olaf Christoffersen of a cat surrounded by workplace objects at Kværner Brug in Christiania, capturing a playful and humorous moment in 1924.
Reverse side of Olaf Christoffersen’s photograph, featuring handwritten notes, exhibition labels, or other markings.
Details from the photographic collection of Olaf Christoffersen, showcasing the artistry, history, and technical precision of his work.
Details from the photographic collection of Olaf Christoffersen, showcasing the artistry, history, and technical precision of his work.
Example showing Olaf Christoffersen’s artwork displayed in a modern Scandinavian-inspired space.
Example showing Olaf Christoffersen’s artwork displayed in a modern Scandinavian-inspired space.

When the Cat’s Alone

When the Cat’s Alone (working title) — Olaf Christoffersen, Christiania (Oslo), 1924. Photographed at floor level in the Kværner Brug canteen, the image records a dark-furred cat stationed in the doorway of an open larder, lapping cream spilled from a tipped jug on the shelf above. The original title — Naar pus er allene — is inscribed on the mount; the phrase names the situation precisely.

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The picture catches an event in progress: a cream jug has been tipped on the larder shelf, and the cat responsible sits in the cabinet doorway, still lapping. On the floor outside, a bowl of sugar lumps has been knocked clear — cream and sugar kept together for the canteen coffee, both displaced by the same visit. Behind the cat, the cabinet shelves carry the full provisions of an industrial workplace larder: stoneware, a cheese box, Norsk Frigg Havremel, glass bottles. The camera at floor level holds cat, bowl, and cabinet in a single, even frame. Pale, diffuse light throughout; the cat’s black coat the only dense tonal mass. Olaf Christoffersen worked at Kværner Brug; the photograph was taken in the workplace canteen.

Technical Details: Gelatin silver print (likely), mounted on heavy paper with deckle-cut edges; signed "Olaf" and dated 1924 at lower right of mount. The original title · NAAR · PUS · ER · ALLENE · is inscribed at lower left in decorative lettering; verso carries the handwritten notation "Olaf Christoffersen / Kværner Brug / Christiania."

Format: TIFF

Size: 200,9 mb

Resolution: 4816×6952

DPI: 300

Color Model: RGB

Color Sync: Adobe RGB (1998)

Prints are available for purchase on the website

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Olaf Christoffersen
A pioneer in the field of photographic art.
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