Studieblad met Samojeden, sledes, graven en een zeevogel 1880 - 1886

This sketchbook page was made by Louis Apol, likely during his 1880 expedition to present-day Russia. It’s rendered in pencil and watercolor, everyday materials that are well-suited to the task of recording observations. The rapid strokes and washes capture the likeness of a Samoyed person, sledges, graves, and a seabird. Notice how the pencil lines define the forms, while the watercolor adds subtle tonal variations, suggesting the harsh, icy environment. The immediacy of the medium conveys Apol’s direct experience of the landscape. The work is significant for its attention to the lives of indigenous people, sketched with quick strokes as a way to create an archive of his travels. Apol’s loose, expressive style seems a fitting choice for this subject matter. His approach invites us to consider the social dimensions of his artistic practice, emphasizing the importance of both direct observation and cultural awareness.