Schetsboek met 33 bladen 1848 - 1888

This sketchbook, made by Anton Mauve, features a cover of robust, woven textile – likely linen or canvas – meticulously bound with tooled leather. The choice of these materials speaks volumes. While paper invites the artist's immediate expression, the cover hints at something more durable. Think of the weaver’s labor, transforming raw fibers into a ground. The tanner, skillfully treating animal hides. Even the bookbinder’s craft in assembling these elements. Each step represents labor, skill, and a contribution to the finished object. The sketchbook becomes more than just a repository for drawings; it embodies the value of work. Mauve’s art would not exist without these varied forms of expertise. It invites us to consider how processes of making contribute to our appreciation of art.