Niels Klim hyldes af Qvamiterne, der bringer ham gaver og knæler for ham 1786 - 1788

Curator: Here we have J.F. Clemens' print, "Niels Klim hyldes af Qvamiterne, der bringer ham gaver og knæler for ham," created between 1786 and 1788. It's currently held at the SMK, the National Gallery of Denmark. Editor: Whoa, talk about a welcome party! The scale seems intimate, like a secretive, forest ritual. There’s definitely a strange kind of reverence at play. A bit awkward maybe, from Klim's expression. Curator: The etching captures a scene of intercultural exchange—though, to use a postcolonial lens, perhaps one should also add coercion—taken from Ludvig Holberg's satirical novel, *Niels Klim's Underground Travels*. Clemens here visualizes Klim's arrival among the Quamites, who treat him as a god. The composition and this almost exaggerated obsequiousness invites questions about power, representation, and cultural relativism. Editor: It reminds me a little bit of illustrations in old fairy tale books...that sketchy vibe with hints of mystery. Clemens renders Klim so detached from the experience. Makes you wonder what he’s really thinking. It looks like, "please stop". He seems incredibly uncomfortable in what you called the 'visualized intercultural exchange' situation, right? Curator: Exactly. I wonder, from a gender perspective, what that says about these interactions, even allegorically speaking, as some people knee before the man. Also note the presents: they give Klim what? Apples. Why those, I ask myself. Does the novel explain that, too? Or does it reflect ideas on sin, lust, life...knowledge, you know...The male nude adds another interesting layer to this power dynamic. Editor: It all has this understated irony that somehow feels very modern even if Clemens lived two centuries ago! The textures of the forest...the bare flesh...it's a delicious contrast. So, it’s a great picture, because once you are familiar with the cultural baggage, the picture becomes extremely relevant. Curator: Very well said, because without the information behind the artwork, you cannot really dig deep into the social narratives that the artist presents. It forces us to really reconsider what we think of "encounters," so-called civility, and history. Editor: Totally! Makes you question everything, including whether or not to accept strange gifts from nude forest people. Just saying...