Recent sightings of the Northern Lights in southern Britain have flooded our timelines in recent weeks as people try to capture its wonderful colours on their smartphones. Now The Polar Museum is inviting visitors to see stunning early attempts to capture the natural phenomenon in a new free exhibition, showcasing the work of Danish-born school teacher and self-taught scientist, Sophus Peter Tromholt (1851–1896).
In 1875 Tromholt moved from Denmark to Norway. There he taught at a school, lectured in astronomy, wrote many articles and several schoolbooks, and even composed two pieces of music. However, the northern lights were always his main interest. He wanted to capture them using photography and determine their height in the atmosphere. In 1885 he published his results in the book, Under the Rays of the Aurora Borealis.
During 1882-83 in the first International Polar Year, Tromholt spent a year living with the Sámi of Kautokeino in northern Norway. He didn’t succeed in taking photographs of the northern lights as photographic plates were not sensitive enough at that time. Instead, he chose to photograph the Sámi people living there, and became famous for his respectful portraits of named Sámi individuals – pioneering at that time. It was in Tromholt’s prints of Sámi people and landscapes at the University of Bergen Library, guest curator and artist Dr Christine Finn encountered Tromholt's sketches of the heavens over Kautokeino, originally made to accompany his newspaper articles and provide illustrations for his book.
Guest curator and artist, Dr Christine Finn, said: “These pictures were created from original glass negatives archived in Bergen. The wooden surface against which Tromholt photographed the drawings is visible, knots and all. Also left for context are the numbers which represent duration or time, almost certainly in his own hand. These traces are part of the ‘archaeology’ of the Aurora as it progresses from Tromholt's eye to brush and pen marks, glass plate negative, then digital file, and now, a print on fine art photographic paper. We do not know if he began with sketch books, or even coloured the works. It is to be hoped more evidence will emerge over time.”
These awe-inspiring, large scale prints will go on display at the Polar Museum, including Tromholt's self-portrait in his open-air photography studio. He is posed amongst scientific equipment and fresh wooden construction, dressed in Sámi clothing and gazing at the camera, possibly being gazed at himself by some of those who called him the ‘Star Man’.
The Sámi people live in modern-day Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Historically they supported themselves through fishing, reindeer farming and hunting. Today, some Sámi people live outside the traditional Sámi homeland known as Sápmi. The Polar Museum holds many examples of Sámi objects, art and clothing, some of which can be seen in the upcoming exhibition.
The leading British stage and screen actor, Michael Maloney (currently on UK tour as Hercule Poirot in Lucy’ Bailey and Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express) has recorded an extract from Sophus Tromholt's descriptions of auroras from Under the Rays of the Aurora Borealis. Visitors will be able to access this via headphones in the gallery.
Prof. Richard Powell, Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute said: “The Aurora Borealis, and their representation, have a fascinating history. We are delighted to host this innovative and timely exhibition here at the Institute.”
Dr David Waterhouse, Curator of the Polar Museum said: “This exhibition combines the history of science and photography with Dr Finn’s artistic processes in order to bring this fascinating story to life some 140 years later. As the recent increase in solar activity makes the northern lights visible throughout the UK, many of us can relate to the frustrations of Aurora photography. Tromholt was a pioneer in the subject – moving to the Arctic Circle in order to study and capture their image. What better timing for an exhibition focused on the Aurora?”
Under the Rays of the Aurora Borealis
15 November 2024-22 February 2025
Curated by Dr Christine Finn
The Polar Museum, Cambridge
Free to visit, Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm.
https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum/
Image credit: Sophus Tromholt, Picture Collection, University of Bergen Library, Norway
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