Aftreksom c. 1892 - 1897

This is a blank page from a sketchbook by Willem Witsen, created at an unknown date. At first glance, it may seem like there's nothing to see here, but take a closer look, and you'll notice the subtle textures and tones of the paper. The pages have a soft, warm tone. The slight variations in color and texture create a sense of depth and character. You can almost feel the weight and thickness of the paper, and imagine the artist turning these pages, perhaps searching for inspiration or a place to record a fleeting thought. Paper is of course a mass produced commodity. But the intimacy of a sketchbook – the artist’s selection of its material qualities, the quiet turning of its pages – can offer a space of contemplation, removed from the pressures of the market. It reminds us that sometimes, the greatest art lies not in the finished product, but in the potential for creation, and the simple act of preparing the ground for imagination to take flight.