IJsberg van kruiend ijs, 1823 1823

Willem Hendrik Hoogkamer created this print titled, *Iceberg of Pack Ice* in 1823. Immediately, the viewer’s gaze is drawn upward by the iceberg's pyramidal form, constructed from myriad blocks. Its imposing scale dominates the composition, dwarfing the figures gathered at its base. Observe how the rough texture of the ice is meticulously rendered, suggesting a study of its material qualities. The soft, muted palette of whites and blues evokes the frigid atmosphere, while the darker cavity implies depth and mystery. This is a clear contrast to the carefully arranged groups of figures below. Hoogkamer’s print seems to engage with the Romantic era’s fascination with the sublime. The iceberg, a formidable force of nature, destabilizes notions of control, reminding us of nature's power. The iceberg itself acts as a signifier of the volatile natural world, its shifting form a testament to the impermanence of the landscape. The flags placed at its summit speak to claims of dominion, yet the unstable foundation suggests the futility of such acts.