Gezicht op de Barentszzee bij middernachtzon c. 1880 - 1886

This sketch of the Barentsz Sea at midnight sun, by Louis Apol, captures the Arctic's ethereal glow. Here, the sun is not merely a celestial body, but a symbol of life's persistence, reminiscent of ancient solar deities, as we know them from ancient Egypt to Mesopotamian civilisations. Consider the sun's omnipresence in mythologies across cultures: Ra, Sol Invictus, Apollo; each embodies renewal and cosmic order. Even in this subtle sketch, Apol hints at the sun's life-giving force. This symbol transcends time, reappearing in works as diverse as Turner's fiery sunsets and Van Gogh's sunflowers. In each, the sun evokes not just light, but profound emotional states: awe, hope, despair. Just as ancient mariners navigated by the stars, our collective psyche is guided by these enduring symbols, their meanings shifting yet forever rooted in our primal understanding of the cosmos. As you contemplate this image, consider how the sun, a constant in our sky, connects us to countless generations who have looked upon it with wonder and reverence.