Head of a Greenlandic Woman 1931

Svend Rathsack created this sculpture, "Head of a Greenlandic Woman," in Denmark out of plaster. Though undated, this work sits within a broader history of anthropological studies and the artistic rendering of indigenous peoples. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was increased fascination with the "exotic other" that fueled both scientific and artistic endeavors. The creation of portrait busts, like this one, can be seen as part of the project to document and classify different races. The woman's features are carefully rendered, emphasizing her distinct ethnic identity. However, such representations were rarely neutral. They often perpetuated stereotypes or reflected the colonial power dynamics of the time. To better understand this sculpture, one could examine historical texts, photographs, and other visual materials from the period. It would reveal the complex interplay between art, science, and social attitudes towards Greenlandic people in Denmark.