Reisverslag c. 1880 - 1887

Louis Apol made this "Reisverslag," or "Travel Report," using graphite on paper. While seemingly simple materials, the graphite pencil had, by the late 19th century, become a ubiquitous tool for sketching and writing. The artist's hand is evident in the tight handwriting and the grid of the notebook, which contrast with the seemingly free-flowing marks and open compositions of paintings. Graphite, as a material, allowed for a direct translation of thought onto paper, capturing the fleeting moments and observations of Apol's journey. The writing is dense and packed tightly within the constraints of the grid. The use of a bound notebook suggests both a personal and practical purpose. The act of writing, like the act of sketching, is an intimate way to record and process experiences. By valuing the immediacy and intimacy of these materials, we expand our appreciation of Apol's art, and we recognize the cultural value of recording our own daily experiences.