Fortællingen om Kigutikkak: Kigutikkak og sin bror går i land i kablunakkernes by København 1859 - 1863

This woodcut by Aron of Kangeq depicts Kigutikkak and his brother arriving in Copenhagen. The scene captures a moment of cultural exchange, and perhaps also, of cultural confrontation. Produced in Greenland in the mid-19th century, this print reflects the complex relationship between the Inuit and the Danish colonial power. As you can see, Kigutikkak and his brother are greeted by a crowd of formally dressed Europeans. The setting, presumably Copenhagen, is depicted with European architectural styles. We might ask, what does it mean for an Inuit artist to represent this encounter? Is it a celebration of cross-cultural exchange, or a commentary on the power dynamics inherent in colonialism? To understand this work better, we might turn to anthropological records, colonial archives, and studies of Inuit art and culture. By situating this image within its historical and cultural context, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its complexities and ambiguities, and the social conditions that shaped its production.