"Sailing around the World (1857-1859). Colonial Patterns, Native Societies, Global Resources in the Circumnavigation of the Austrian Frigate Novara"

This essay by Guido Abbattista analyzes the Austrian frigate Novara’s circumnavigation (1857–1859) as a paradigmatic case of nineteenth-century global exploration, set within the broader context of European imperial expansion and scientific ambition. Abbattista demonstrates how the Novara expedition, Austria’s first global voyage, was not only a naval and scientific enterprise but also a vehicle for projecting imperial prestige, asserting national identity, and gathering knowledge about colonial patterns, native societies, and global resources. Drawing on official reports, scientific publications, and ethnographic collections, the essay situates the Novara alongside other Austrian and European voyages, highlighting its role in consolidating Austria’s place on the world stage. The author explores the ideological underpinnings of the mission, especially as articulated by Karl von Scherzer, who framed the journey in terms of Eurocentric progress, racial hierarchies, and the civilizing mission of Europe—particularly the “Anglo-Saxon” model. The essay critically examines how the Novara’s documentation and collections contributed to museums and scientific institutions, while also reflecting the contradictions and exclusions of imperialist worldviews. Ultimately, Abbattista argues that the Novara expedition exemplifies the entanglement of science, empire, and global modernity, offering insight into the construction of “global Europeanness” and the enduring legacies of colonial encounters.