Ledger Figures, Capt. Richard Black (from Sketchbook) 1811 - 1893

John William Casilear created this ledger page, "Ledger Figures, Capt. Richard Black," as part of a sketchbook, with ink on paper. Immediately, we're struck by the interplay of line and void. The composition is dominated by precise, handwritten entries organized in a grid-like fashion, and the page is filled with linear forms that create a sense of structure and order. The writing itself presents an intriguing semiotic system. Each entry, a signifier, points to economic transactions, yet the specific meaning remains elusive without additional context. The structural arrangement suggests a deeper commentary on the commodification of time and the regimentation of daily life in the 19th century. Consider the repetitive "By Cash" notations—do these signify a challenge to established notions of value or explore the fluid nature of financial exchange? Ultimately, the sketchbook page invites ongoing interpretation, recognizing that its meaning is not fixed but evolves with each viewing.