Schetsboek met 32 bladen c. 1886 - 1903

This is a sketchbook with 32 pages, made by George Hendrik Breitner, a Dutch artist who died in 1923. The book, a modest object in terms of its materials, provides a fascinating glimpse into the artist's working methods. Consider the sketchbook itself. It's a humble gathering of paper, bound together for portability and ease of use. It could have been produced in a factory and sold in a shop, and stands in contrast to the fine art associated with the artist. The jottings are like a stream of consciousness, notations about places, views, and times of day, as well as sketches. It captures the fleeting impressions and observations that fueled Breitner's artistic vision. The artist has written the Dutch terms, like, Lovreesgrach, Paleis, Brug, Dom schemes. Breitner was known for capturing the energy of the city and everyday life of Amsterdam. And a sketchbook like this was vital to the social and artistic culture of its time. It serves as a reminder that the most profound art often emerges from the simplest means, blurring boundaries between high art and the materials of daily life.