Sketchbook ("1887"): Amalfi and Museum Notes 1887

Curator: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's "Sketchbook ('1887'): Amalfi and Museum Notes," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: That striking emerald green immediately gives the notebook a sense of preserved history. Curator: Indeed, the color lends a formal quality to what is otherwise a utilitarian object for capturing fleeting impressions. Editor: The label pasted on the cover suggests a collector's item, perhaps hinting at the growing importance of museums and their impact on artistic practice at the time. Curator: The texture visible on the cover adds another layer. One wonders about the sensory experience of an artist constantly handling this object. Editor: It’s more than just a sketchbook; it's a portal into the artist's world. Curator: A fascinating glimpse, to be sure. Editor: I agree; the sketchbook’s raw materiality makes me think about the intimate connection between the artist and their materials.