Gezicht op een huis in Noors Sápmi (Lapland) 1880s

Louis Apol made this drawing of a house in Norwegian Sápmi, or Lapland, with graphite on paper. The soft grey of the graphite creates a muted palette, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of a snow-covered landscape. Apol uses the pencil to create a range of textures, from the rough, almost scribbled lines of the foreground, to the more careful rendering of the house itself. You can almost feel the weight of the snow on the roof. The drawing style is quick and direct. The image’s charm comes from the way Apol uses the humble materials of paper and pencil to evoke a sense of place. It may seem simple, yet it speaks volumes about Apol's skill, and the careful observation and attention to detail that elevates it from a mere sketch to a work of art. It reminds us that profound meaning can be found even in the most unassuming materials, and that the act of making is itself a powerful form of expression.