IJsbeer met twee jongen 1880 - 1886

Editor: Here we have Louis Apol's pencil drawing, "Polar Bear with Two Cubs," created between 1880 and 1886. The sketch is quite faint, but the bears are visible. I'm curious to know, what strikes you about this piece? Curator: What stands out for me is the deliberate choice of a pencil sketch, a medium often considered preparatory, to depict such a harsh environment and its inhabitants. How does the mass production of images of exotic animals impact the creation of this work? Is the artistic labor mirroring the colonial extraction of resources? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn’t considered it in that way. So you're saying that the "everydayness" of a pencil contrasts with the extraordinary subject matter? Curator: Precisely. The seemingly simple choice of pencil and paper belies a complex relationship with the material conditions of artistic production. Apol has produced this for a culture that romanticises wild nature, and this image is another item available on the market. Consider also that during this time, developments in photography meant more people could see wildlife without ever leaving their homes. Was there a particular value being placed on drawings like this that were made entirely by hand? Editor: So, you see the value of the artwork not just in the image itself but in the means and social context of its making? Curator: Absolutely. How the artwork came into being is just as significant as what it depicts. Editor: I see what you mean. I’ll definitely look at art with a fresh perspective, considering the conditions and implications of its production. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, thinking about the materials and production adds new dimensions.