August 12

Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld (1832–1901) was a Finnish-Swedish botanist, geologist, mineralogist, and Arctic explorer. He is best known for leading the Vega expedition (1878–1879), the first voyage to circumnavigate Eurasia via the Northeast Passage. Nordenskiöld conducted groundbreaking scientific research on Arctic geology and flora, collecting vital data and specimens. His scholarly publications advanced understanding of mineralogy and polar science. Honored by scientific societies across Europe, his achievements bridged exploration and academia, inspiring future polar research and navigation.

Vittorio Sella combined his passions for photography and alpinism to capture dramatic mountain landscapes. He participated in major expeditions to the Alps, Caucasus, Dolomites, Patagonia, and the Himalayas. Sella’s pioneering techniques produced some of the first high-resolution photographs of remote peaks. His images blended artistic composition with scientific documentation of glacial geology. Sella’s work inspired both explorers and photographers to push the boundaries of their fields. He is remembered as a visionary who brought the world’s loftiest summits to life through his lens.