Bovenkant van een toros before 1886

This is H. Ekama’s photograph ‘Bovenkant van een toros’ or ‘Top of a Toros’, documenting the Dutch Polar expedition of 1882 to 1883. The expedition was charged with making scientific observations in the Arctic, advancing geographical knowledge, and asserting Dutch presence in the region. The image presents a stark, monumental landscape, typical of the romantic aesthetics applied to scientific exploration at the time. But photographs like this also served a political purpose. They visually reinforce claims of discovery and sovereignty, shaping public perception of colonial endeavors. The Dutch government and scientific institutions sponsored such expeditions, eager to partake in the era's imperial ambitions. Understanding this image requires us to consider the role of scientific institutions and colonial power in shaping both the expedition and its visual record. Research into the expedition's archives, the political climate in the Netherlands at the time, and the prevailing scientific discourses helps us to uncover the complex layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly straightforward image.