HMS Erebus In The Ice, 1846 | François Etienne Musin | Oil On Canvas

HMS Erebus in the Ice, 1846 offers a haunting portrayal of Sir John Franklin's doomed Arctic expedition. The painting depicts HMS Erebus ensnared in a vast, icy landscape, its masts and rigging starkly silhouetted against the cold, barren surroundings. Musin’s use of subdued blues and whites accentuates the ship’s isolation and the overwhelming power of the frozen environment.

This artwork not only captures a pivotal moment in maritime history but also holds significant relevance to Canada’s history. Franklin’s 1845 expedition, intended to chart the Northwest Passage, became one of the greatest mysteries of Arctic exploration. The fate of HMS Erebus and its sister ship, HMS Terror, remained unknown for over a century, fueling numerous search missions. The eventual discovery of Erebus in 2014 in the Canadian Arctic, near King William Island, marked a monumental achievement in Canada’s efforts to uncover its historical and geographical heritage.