Possibly 1906 - 1909
Schetsboek met 43 bladen
Willem Witsen
1860 - 1923Location
RijksmuseumListen to curator's interpretation
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.