Twee mannen in een sloep, onder wie Klaas Mantel Possibly 1880 - 1888

Louis Apol made this pencil drawing of two men in a sloop. Apol was known for his winter landscapes, but this sketch offers a glimpse into another facet of his artistic interest: the lives of ordinary people. Created in the Netherlands, the image speaks to the nation's historical connection to the water and maritime activities. The loose sketch style, which may have been done 'en plein air', suggests an interest in capturing a fleeting moment of everyday life, perhaps a break for these working men. During the late 19th century there was increasing artistic interest in the lives of laborers as well as the rise of realist painting, so this image may reflect those progressive social attitudes. To understand this work more fully, research into the fishing industry in the Netherlands at the time and Apol's other works would shed more light on its social and cultural context. It serves as a reminder that art is always embedded in particular conditions of production and reception.