Huizen in Noors Sápmi (Lapland) 1880s

This sketch of houses in Norwegian Sápmi, or Lapland, was made by Louis Apol. Apol used graphite pencils on paper, traditional art materials. The marks on the paper document the artist’s work, and it’s interesting to consider why he would have chosen these materials and this approach, as opposed to a painting. This sketch, created using minimal tools, presents the viewer with a direct, unvarnished glimpse into the lives of those inhabiting these dwellings. Graphite, in its raw and unassuming nature, serves as a conduit to depict the rawness and simplicity of the Lapland dwellings. The material and the process convey more than just what the houses look like; they hint at the resourcefulness required for survival in such a climate. Paying attention to materials, ways of making, and the social context in which this sketch was produced can provide insight into the artist’s perspective, and appreciation for the lives and conditions of the people and the land that he documented.