Het zeilschip Hertha bij het verlaten van de haven van Trondheim c. 1900

E. Olsen captured this image of the sailing ship Hertha leaving the port of Trondheim with a camera during the age of sail. The ship, fully rigged with sails furled, is packed with people, perhaps setting off on a voyage. In the nineteenth century, ships like the Hertha connected distant lands, facilitating not just trade, but also migration and cultural exchange. Yet, this movement often occurred within the framework of colonial expansion, deeply impacting indigenous populations and their ways of life. The mirrored reflection of the ship on the water suggests a sense of doubling, indicative of both the opportunities and the ethical complexities inherent in this era of global maritime activity. Consider how this image invites reflection on themes of exploration, displacement, and the interconnectedness of our world through maritime history. Ponder, too, the personal stories of those aboard, each embarking on their own journey, shadowed by the larger forces of their time.