Zittende Samojeedse vrouw met kind c. 1880 - 1887

This pencil sketch, "Zittende Samojeedse vrouw met kind", is a preliminary study by Dutch artist Louis Apol, created sometime between 1880 and 1887. It depicts a seated Samoyedic woman with a child, captured in a loose and gestural style. The drawing is housed in the Rijksmuseum and offers a glimpse into Apol's working process, highlighting his interest in the people and cultures he encountered during his travels. The sketch’s quick lines suggest Apol was working rapidly, possibly capturing a fleeting moment in the life of his subjects.