Zicht op korvet de Uranie tussen de rotsen bij Nieuw-Guinea 1822

Jacques Etienne Victor Arago made this print, *Zicht op korvet de Uranie tussen de rotsen bij Nieuw-Guinea*, which translates to *View of the corvette the Uranie among the rocks near New Guinea.* Arago was the artist and writer on Louis de Freycinet's exploration of the Pacific, during which they visited Australia, Guam and other Pacific Islands. This work offers a glimpse into the dynamic between exploration and representation, as colonial powers navigated and documented new territories. Consider how the ship, a symbol of European exploration, is positioned amidst the rocks of New Guinea. There is a tension in the image, as the ship appears both powerful and vulnerable. The detailed rendering of the ship contrasts sharply with the more generalized depiction of the landscape, a visual hierarchy that subtly asserts European dominance over the natural world. Arago’s work invites us to reflect on the complexities of cultural exchange, and the lasting impact of encounters between different worlds.