The Haunted Painting and the Legacy of Arctic Exploration at Royal Holloway

At Royal Holloway, University of London, a painting by Edwin Landseer titled “Man Proposes, God Disposes” has long been the subject of student superstition. Every year during exam periods, the artwork is covered with a Union Flag. Students believe that looking at the painting during exams will lead to failure or even madness.

This tradition stems from the painting’s grim subject matter. Created in 1864, it depicts polar bears attacking one of the ships from Sir John Franklin’s doomed 1845 expedition to locate the Northwest Passage, alongside the skeletal remains of the crew. The Franklin expedition, which set sail with 129 men aboard HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, vanished in the Arctic after becoming icebound. Despite numerous search efforts, the fate of the crew remained a mystery for decades.

The painting reflects the Victorian era’s fascination and horror at the expedition’s tragic end. As noted in historical accounts, the work was inspired by accounts brought back by search parties, including those who spoke with Inuit communities who encountered survivors.

In 2014, the discovery of one of Franklin’s ships in the Canadian Arctic renewed public interest in the story. The wreck, identified as HMS Erebus, was found through a combination of Inuit oral history and modern sonar technology, validating long-held accounts of the expedition’s final days.

Today, the covered painting serves as a reminder of how exploration, myth and institutional memory intersect within the walls of one of London’s historic colleges.

Key Takeaways

• The painting “Man Proposes, God Disposes” by Edwin Landseer has been covered during exams at Royal Holloway, University of London, for generations due to student superstition.
• The artwork illustrates the tragic fate of the Franklin expedition of 1845, which sought to navigate the Northwest Passage.
• The discovery of HMS Erebus in 2014 confirmed many details about the expedition’s end, as reported by authoritative sources including The Conversation.
• Royal Holloway continues to honor this tradition, linking Victorian-era Arctic exploration to modern campus life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the painting covered during exams?

Students at Royal Holloway believe that viewing Edwin Landseer’s “Man Proposes, God Disposes” during exam periods brings bad luck, potentially leading to failure or mental distress. The college covers the painting with a Union Flag each year.

What does the painting depict?

The 1864 artwork by Edwin Landseer shows polar bears attacking a ship from the Franklin expedition, surrounded by human remains. It symbolizes the overwhelming power of nature over human ambition, reflecting the Victorian interpretation of the failed Arctic voyage.

Has the Franklin expedition been found?

Yes. In 2014, researchers announced the discovery of HMS Erebus, one of the two ships from the Franklin expedition, in the Canadian Arctic. The find was made possible through a combination of Inuit testimony and advanced underwater exploration techniques.