Gezicht op een ijsberg of ijsschots c. 1880 - 1886

This pencil drawing of an iceberg, by Louis Apol, captures not just a frozen landscape but also the cool detachment and isolation of modernity. The iceberg, a frequent symbol in art, embodies themes of danger, the sublime, and the overwhelming power of nature. The iceberg also echoes older myths, like the tale of Sisyphus, eternally pushing a boulder uphill only to have it roll back down, to me this drawing encapsulates a similar futility in the face of nature's cold indifference. Across cultures, icy landscapes often mirror inner emotional states, and the iceberg specifically might represent repressed feelings or the hidden aspects of the self, much like how only a fraction of an iceberg is visible above water. The symbolism of the iceberg constantly resurfaces and evolves, appearing as an omen of both peril and stark beauty. The iceberg is a chilling testament to the enduring power of symbols to reflect and shape our understanding of the human condition.