Kortbekzeekoeten op een ijsberg in de Barentszzee 1880 - 1886

Louis Apol sketched ‘Kortbekzeekoeten op een ijsberg in de Barentszzee’ using graphite. Notice the contrast in texture; the iceberg rendered with rough, dense strokes compared to the fluid, horizontal lines of the water. These lines curve gently across the page, suggesting the movement of the sea. Apol's sketch captures a stark scene of nature through its basic elements. The iceberg, a solid mass, dominates the composition, juxtaposed against the fluidity of the water and the openness of the sky. The birds become a focal point, their presence injecting life into the otherwise barren landscape. Consider how Apol uses the monochrome palette to emphasize form and structure. The absence of color directs our attention to the interplay of light and shadow, highlighting the iceberg's volume and the subtle gradations in the water. The sketch isn't just a depiction of a place, it's an exploration of form, space, and the delicate balance between presence and absence.