Waterval op Nova Zembla c. 1880 - 1887

Curator: This drawing is titled "Waterval op Nova Zembla," which translates to "Waterfall on Novaya Zemlya," created by Louis Apol between approximately 1880 and 1887. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first impression is stark, almost desolate. The grey pencil strokes are urgent, conveying the harshness and grandeur of the arctic landscape. Curator: Indeed. Apol was known for his depictions of winter landscapes. Novaya Zemlya, the setting here, carries significance. It's an archipelago in the Russian Arctic, a site of early exploration and later, nuclear testing. This choice connects to themes of discovery and the imposition of man upon nature. Editor: Look at the way the artist renders the waterfall itself. It's almost abstracted, just suggestive strokes capturing the motion and the volume. The artist focuses less on detail and more on the overall visual sensation. Curator: That abstraction is crucial. Apol wasn't simply painting a landscape, he was evoking an emotional and symbolic space. Waterfalls often signify the passage of time, change, and even purification. Set against the backdrop of the Arctic, that symbolism intensifies, alluding to resilience and renewal amid formidable conditions. The area in general, throughout the Romantic period, was considered one of purity that inspired. Editor: I'm intrigued by the apparent speed of the drawing too. The sketch book style allows us to look at it with certain raw feelings from the artist on display for all to witness. The varying pressure in the pencil strokes provides dimension even in the absence of color. There's such confidence, achieved with a surprising economy of line. Curator: Precisely. Consider that confidence against the historical backdrop. These voyages of exploration were driven by colonial ambition, but also fueled by an enduring fascination with the unknown. So, it also embodies how humankind, though seemingly small in the frame, continues the search and exploration, knowing there will always be mystery. Editor: Viewing "Waterval op Nova Zembla," with a focus on the visual elements has given me fresh appreciation for its power. The medium perfectly supports a stark atmosphere, making it a perfect drawing in capturing a grand, epic scale. Curator: And for me, its depiction of geographical and psychological frontiers brings new insight to the symbology, prompting reflection on the past while hinting at enduring struggles to come.