Schetsboek met 35 bladen 1849 - 1917

This is a sketchbook with 35 pages, made by Matthijs Maris. Looking at the cover, it appears to be made using a marbling technique, a method that creates distinctive patterns, resembling stone or marble. This is achieved by floating paints on a liquid surface and then carefully transferring the design onto the cover material. The cover is a key component of a sketchbook and is designed to protect the precious drawings contained inside. Historically, the production of sketchbooks, and particularly their covers, involved numerous skilled trades like papermaking, bookbinding, and decorative arts, often relying on workshop systems that involved a lot of labor. Materials, making, and context provide a valuable insight into understanding the artwork, which challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.