Gezicht op gletsjers te Upernavik vanaf Qeqertarsuaq before 1888

This anonymous print, titled ‘Gezicht op gletsjers te Upernavik vanaf Qeqertarsuaq’, captures a view of glaciers at Upernavik from Qeqertarsuaq. In the context of colonialism, landscape art often served as a tool for claiming and romanticizing new territories, overlooking the presence and rights of indigenous populations. Here, the vast, untouched vista evokes a sense of exploration and scientific discovery. The absence of human figures emphasizes the idea of a land ready to be charted and ‘civilized.’ What stories might remain untold in this seemingly objective depiction? How does the act of viewing and documenting impact the lived realities of the Inuit people, whose connection to this land is profound and ancient? Consider how the romantic vision of the Arctic wilderness obscures the impact of colonial expansion and climate change. How does this image shape our understanding of a place and its people?