Again - In the Footsteps of Sigfús Eymundsson (2020–2025)

Sigfús Eymundsson (1837-1911) was the first Icelander to make photography his life’s work.  He returned from studying in Norway in 1866 and set up a photography studio in Reykjavík a year later.  Sigfús was the first to photograph many of the places that are now considered among the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland.  

Regularly over four years time Einar Falur followed in Sigfús’ footsteps, travelling around Iceland, and used selected photos of his as a kind of “tour guide”, sometimes seeking out the same perspective or positioning his camera within Sigfús’ frame.  Einar Falur and Sigfús’ photographs form a visual dialogue, despite there being almost one hundred and fifty years between the images.  

While following Sigfús on his photographic journey, Einar Falur also captured various other things of interest that he encountered, thereby creating simultaniously his own visual diary.  In addition to images that refer directly to the photographs of his predecessor, Einar Falur’s photos depict places between those shown in Sigfús’ photos and people whom Einar Falur met “within the frames” of the old photographs.

The project premiered in an exhibition in Iceland’s National Museum in 2025, “Conversing With Sigfús” and at the same time the museum published the book “Aftur - In the Footsteps of Sigfús Eymundsson”.