IJsschots 1880

This is Louis Apol's "IJsschots," created with graphite on paper. Apol was known for his winter landscapes, and here, the humble materials belie the grandeur of the subject. Graphite, essentially processed carbon, is laid down in varying densities to suggest the bulk and texture of the ice floe. Note the contrast between the flat expanse of paper and the three-dimensional form Apol skillfully renders. The processes involved are straightforward: sketching, shading, and line work. However, the artistic tradition behind it is rich. Apol was part of the Hague School, known for its realistic depictions of Dutch life and landscapes. Yet, in choosing such a stark subject, Apol prompts reflection on the elemental forces shaping our environment, anticipating contemporary concerns about climate change. By focusing on the making and materiality, we see "IJsschots" not just as a drawing, but as a meditation on nature, labor, and our relationship with the world around us.