Schetsboek met 43 bladen by Willem Witsen

Possibly 1906 - 1909

Schetsboek met 43 bladen

Willem Witsen's Profile Picture

Willem Witsen

1860 - 1923

Location

Rijksmuseum

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Curatorial notes

Willem Witsen made this sketchbook with 43 pages, date unknown, and now it's kept at the Rijksmuseum. This cover is like a stage before the performance, isn’t it? The greyish-beige fabric is so understated, it’s almost daring. I love the texture, you can almost feel the weave, imagine the stories it could tell. It's a reminder that art isn't just about the grand statement, but also about the quiet moments, the personal and intimate process. Look at that pale surface! It has smudges and tiny marks, a history of use, right? It’s reminiscent of Agnes Martin's work. Like her, Witsen seems to find the sublime in the subtle, the profound in the everyday. This sketchbook isn't just an object; it’s a portal into the artist's mind. It invites us to see the world through Witsen’s eyes, one sketch at a time.