Zeilschip voor de kust, mogelijk de schoener Willem Barentsz Possibly 1880 - 1888

Louis Apol made this graphite drawing of a sailing ship off the coast, possibly the schooner Willem Barentsz. The artist has used a simple material to capture an evocative scene. Graphite, as a medium, is unassuming, derived from the earth and processed into a form ready for mark-making. Notice how Apol uses the inherent qualities of graphite - its capacity for both delicate lines and dense shading - to convey the atmospheric conditions and the form of the ship. The texture of the paper also plays a role, providing a subtle grain that enlivens the drawing. The use of a sketchbook suggests immediacy, a desire to record a fleeting moment. Drawings like this remind us of the artist's hand, the direct connection between thought and expression through a humble material, challenging distinctions between art and craft.