1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
Photo, Fridtjof Nansen
Objectnumber: RA 0332
Width frame: 33.0 cm
Height frame: 45.0 cm
Depth frame: 2.2 cm
Materials: glass, wood, paper
Portrait of Fridtjof Nansen that Amundsen took with him on the Gjøa expedition and later hung on the wall of his home at Uranienborg.
Fridtjof Nansen was one of Amundsen’s great sources of inspiration. He had high status as a polar explorer after his expeditions across Greenland in 1888 and over the Arctic Ocean in 1893–96.
The photo hung onboard in the lounge of the Gjøa during the journey through the Northwest Passage. When the expedition had safely sailed through, Amundsen stood and looked at the portrait.
“It seemed as if the picture had come to life, as if he winked at me, nodding, ‘Just what I thought, my boy!’ I nodded back, smiling and happy, and went on deck.”
Nansen signed the picture, ʺTo Captain Roald Amundsen with wishes of good luck and progress on the journey from his friend Fridtjof Nansen, June 16, 1903.ʺ
RA.0332_03
RA.0332_04
RA.0332_01
RA.0332_05
RA.0332_08
RA.0332_10
RA.0332_04(1)
