Februari: een paar uit Sápmi (Lapland) 1604 - 1670

Crispijn van de Passe the Second created this engraving, “Februari: een paar uit Sápmi (Lapland)”, situating a Sámi couple within a broader European understanding of different cultures. At a time when Europe was expanding its reach, representations of indigenous people were often filtered through the lens of the colonizer. Passe’s work reflects a mix of curiosity and stereotyping, typical of the era. The Sámi people, who lived in the northern parts of Scandinavia, were frequently misrepresented. Here, we see them rendered with details that might seem exotic to a European audience. It invites us to consider how cultural outsiders are portrayed. The image suggests a narrative about identity, resilience, and the impact of external perceptions on indigenous communities. It speaks to the complex relationship between the observer and the observed. It evokes questions about cultural preservation, and the dignity of different ways of life.