Kopi efter Clemens portræt af Paul Egede, Sw. 258 1741 - 1831

This is an engraving titled "Copy after Clemens' portrait of Paul Egede," made by an anonymous artist. Looking at this portrait, we see Paul Egede, a figure deeply entwined with the history of Greenland and Danish colonialism. His father, Hans Egede, was a missionary who initiated the Dano-Norwegian colonization of Greenland in 1721. Paul followed in his footsteps, continuing missionary work among the Inuit population. Portraits like these played a crucial role in constructing and maintaining colonial power. They visually affirmed the authority and status of individuals involved in these enterprises. This image presents Egede as a figure of respectability and learning, reinforcing the narrative of European superiority and the justification for colonial endeavors. Yet, we must also consider the impact on the indigenous Inuit communities, whose lives and cultures were irrevocably altered by these figures. Consider how images like these shape our understanding of history and the complex legacies of colonialism.