Examples from the collections View of Hornsgatan and Maria Trappgränd from Maria Magdalena church. 1902-1914 Photo: Lars Larsson, Stockholms stadsmuseum. D 5123 Lars Larsson (1858-1932) Lars Larsson was born in the village of Västbjörka in the parish of Rättvik in Dalecarlia (Dalarna). He started as a portrait photographer as early as 1876 after learning the trade from his brother Anders. For the next fifteen years he was an ambulant photographer in the central Swedish provinces of Dalarna, Medelpad and Hälsningland and even spent a year in the USA. In 1890 he purchased a studio in Stockholm at Humlegårdsgatan 21. With his enterprise, contacts and notable skills as a photographer he soon added the royal household to his list of clients. In the autumn of 1892 he was formally appointed photographer to the Royal Court. This ensured financial success and he rapidly took on new staff. During the years 1902-1914 Lars Larsson took more than 1000 pictures with his large-format camera as a commission for the Municipality of Stockholm. The intention was to preserve in pictures buildings and environments of the rapidly growing capital. Lars Larsson sold his studio in 1914 but it continued operations under the same name for many years. More photos by Lars Larsson Klara sjö seen from Stadshusbron. 1927 Photo: Gustaf W:son Cronquist, Stockholms stadsmuseum. CRD 3 Gustaf Wernersson Cronquist (1878-1967) After qualifying as a civil engineer in 1900, Gustaf Wernersson Cronquist worked principally in the brick industry. He was also a keen amateur photographer and when the Lumière brothers developed the art of colour photography about 1910, with his knowledge of chemistry he began to use this new opportunity for depicting reality. The photographs – known as autochrome plates – were glass positives in the 9x12 cm format. They could be viewed on a light table or projected using a magic lantern. Cronquist's colour pictures are by far the largest collection of early colour photos. The collection was acquired by the museum in 1960 and it comprises some 600 autochromes from the 1920's and 1930's. A recurring subject is the magnificent view from his apartment at Stadsgården 10 close to Slussen and the Katarina elevator. The collection represents only a small part of the colour photographs that Cronquist is believed to have taken and which he used in innumerable lectures both at home and abroad to illustrate the various parts of Sweden. Sadly, many of his colour photographs are in poor condition. It would seem that the best pictures were shown too many times in a magic lantern and were affected by the heat of the machine. More photos by Gustaf Wernersson Cronquist You can click all photos to see a bigger version.