Gezicht op bont uit Noorwegen op de Wereldtentoonstelling van Antwerpen in 1894 1894

This is Charles Bernhoeft’s photograph of the display of Norwegian furs at the Antwerp World’s Fair in 1894. The image offers a glimpse into the spectacle of world expositions, events designed to celebrate industrial progress and cultural exchange, but which also underscored the inequalities of global power dynamics. Bernhoeft, a Luxembourgish photographer, documents Norway’s presentation of its fur trade, a practice with deep historical roots. The fur trade's presence at the fair prompts us to consider the relationship between human society and the natural world, as well as the economic drivers of global exchange. Fur carries complex associations: luxury, warmth, and status. The trade in fur also evokes a troubling history of exploitation, particularly of indigenous populations, and ecological disruption. Bernhoeft's photograph invites reflection on how cultural narratives are constructed and how they shape our understanding of identity, and history.