"KavdlunâKarfik Sisimiut" 1875

Lars Møller made this print of "KavdlunâKarfik Sisimiut," or Holsteinsborg as it was known in Danish, sometime between the mid-19th and early 20th century. The image presents a meticulously rendered view of the colonial settlement, capturing the imposition of European architecture and governance on Greenlandic land. Note how the Danish flag flies prominently above the landscape, a clear symbol of colonial power. The church, another imposition, stands out within the community. Møller, himself of mixed Greenlandic and Danish heritage, was deeply engaged in the cultural and political issues of his time. His work often reflects the complex relationship between Greenland and Denmark, documenting the changing landscape and social structures under colonial rule. Historical documents, missionary records, and colonial archives would offer more insight into this artwork. By studying the social conditions and institutional forces at play during Møller's time, we can better understand the politics of imagery in colonial contexts.