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Electric Lies — Madhumita Nandi

19th-Century Photographs Documenting the Sámi People by Roche and Bonaparte

In 1884, Prince Roland Bonaparte organized an anthropological expedition to Northern Norway (Finnmark) and Sweden to document the Sámi people. Most of the photographs were taken by G. Roche, the expedition’s photographer. Unlike modern photographers who often capture candid moments, Roche and Bonaparte used formal 'en face' and profile shots, a quasi-scientific approach aimed at recording physical features. The collection features over 100 portraits, with many subjects identified by name, including Jol Andersen, Anna Hurri, and Niels Larsen Pilto. Subjects are often dressed in traditional Sámi clothing, called gákti, and posed against neutral backdrops or within rigid frames. Some portraits even include measurement tools or number plates, reflecting the era’s interest in racial classification. Beyond portraits, the expedition documented Sámi dwellings (lavvu), boats, and the Arctic environment, providing a broader cultural and historical context of life in Northern Norway during the 1880s. This collection remains a significant historical record of the Sámi community and their traditions during the late 19th century.

19th-Century Photographs Documenting the Sámi People by Roche and Bonaparte

In 1884, Prince Roland Bonaparte organized an anthropological expedition to Northern Norway (Finnmark) and Sweden to document the Sámi people. Most of the photographs were taken by G. Roche, the expedition’s photographer. Unlike modern photographers who often capture candid moments, Roche and Bonaparte used formal 'en face' and profile shots, a quasi-scientific approach aimed at recording physical features. The collection features over 100 portraits, with many subjects identified by name, including Jol Andersen, Anna Hurri, and Niels Larsen Pilto. Subjects are often dressed in traditional Sámi clothing, called gákti, and posed against neutral backdrops or within rigid frames. Some portraits even include measurement tools or number plates, reflecting the era’s interest in racial classification. Beyond portraits, the expedition documented Sámi dwellings (lavvu), boats, and the Arctic environment, providing a broader cultural and historical context of life in Northern Norway during the 1880s. This collection remains a significant historical record of the Sámi community and their traditions during the late 19th century.

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