Journey to the Center of the Earth 1864

Edouard Riou created this illustration for Jules Verne’s novel, “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, an adventure published in 1864. Verne wrote at a time when the colonial project was in full swing, influencing how he imagined the unknown. The stark contrast between light and shadow crafts an atmosphere ripe with the lure and danger of exploration. The lone figure wading through the water, nearly nude, enters this new world seemingly unburdened by the constraints of his own. Is this freedom? Published just one year before the abolition of slavery in the United States, this illustration invites us to consider how ideas of freedom, race, and the “unknown” were being constructed. Consider the potential impact on the original audience, many of whom were implicated in colonial activities. Ultimately, this image encourages us to critically examine how adventure narratives both reflect and shape our understanding of the world. It encourages us to reflect on whose stories are told and whose are left untold.