Fjeldlandskab med huse, Khristianshaab 1883

Lars Møller captured this watercolor landscape of Khristianshaab, now known as Qasigiannguit, in Greenland. Dominating the scene is the settlement, marked by modest homes and a Danish flag—a potent symbol of colonial presence. Flags, throughout history, have been more than just cloth; they are emblems of power, identity, and territorial claim. Think of Roman standards or medieval banners, each declaring dominion. The flag here, small yet significant, echoes across time. Its presence invokes not just a nation, but a complex interplay of cultural imposition and exchange. Just as ancient conquerors planted their standards, so too does this flag represent the layered narratives of exploration, settlement, and the ongoing negotiation between cultures, a visual echo resonating through the ages.