Notities c. 1890

This sketchbook page, "Notities," was made by Jan Willem van Borselen, though the exact date remains unknown. The page is dominated by a light ground, covered in graphite inscriptions. The script runs in a somewhat ordered, almost staccato rhythm across the page. The page’s structure, while seemingly informal, reveals a deliberate organization. Horizontal lines divide the textual elements into distinct blocks, creating a visual hierarchy. This composition suggests a tension between the spontaneity of note-taking and a desire for order. Van Borselen seems to want to capture fleeting ideas while simultaneously imposing a structure on the chaos of thought. The texture of the page is interesting – the smoothness of the paper contrasts with the roughness of the graphite, creating a tactile quality that invites close inspection. It’s an interplay between intention and accident. The lack of firm dates may also reflect the artist’s engagement with impressionist theories, where the immediate and subjective experience is valued above all else.