Gezicht op een huis in Hammerfest c. 1880s

This is a sketch by Louis Apol of a house in Hammerfest. Observe how Apol captures the essence of a dwelling through minimal strokes. The house, a universal symbol of shelter and home, goes beyond its mere architectural function. Since the beginning of time, we have projected our deepest desires and fears onto it. In ancient Roman culture, the house was not just a building but a sacred space, protected by the Lares, the household gods. Now, fast forward to the German Romantics, Caspar David Friedrich. His paintings of solitary figures against vast landscapes evoke a sense of longing, very much in line with Apol’s approach to nature. The house is a space where personal and collective memories converge. It serves as a vessel, holding within it the stories, dreams, and fears of those who inhabit it. Just as dreams reveal the subconscious, so too does our perception of the house open a window into the soul. It becomes more than just a place; it becomes a state of mind.