Bird Expedition to Greenland, 1925

In the summer of 1925, Johannes Larsen took part in a bird expedition to southern Greenland. His role was twofold: to assist in collecting specimens (such as bird skins and eggs), and to produce sketches for illustrations to be used in a major publication titled The Birds of Denmark (Danmarks Fugle).

This summer, a small special exhibition will be on view in “Længden” at the Johannes Larsen Museum. The exhibition features a selection of the watercolours Johannes Larsen created during the voyage, along with photographs from the summer stay in Greenland. The exhibition opens on June 21, which also marks Greenland’s National Day.

Johannes Larsen’s diaries from the Greenland expedition have been preserved. Another member of the expedition, conservator and illustrator Henning Scheel, later wrote a book about the journey upon returning home.

This material—together with a wide range of illustrations—forms the basis of a new book published in conjunction with the exhibition. The book’s title is a quote from one of Larsen’s diaries: “Plagued by Mosquitoes, Onlookers and Lack of an Eraser.”

Both the exhibition and the book are supported by EH Invest.

Opening reception and book launch: Saturday, June 21 at 2 PM.