Schetsboek met 7 losse bladen 1834 - 1911

This sketchbook with seven loose leaves was made by Jozef Israëls sometime during his lifetime, from 1824 to 1911. The materials and processes used in creating this sketchbook speak volumes about artistic practice. It’s comprised of humble materials; paper, likely handmade or early machine-made, bound within a cover of linen or canvas. These materials are not precious, but utterly practical. The sketchbook isn't just a container for ideas, it's a testament to Israëls's working methods. We can imagine him, out in the fields perhaps, rapidly capturing scenes and figures. The sketchbook represents an intimate connection between the artist's hand and the world he sought to depict. It challenges the traditional hierarchy of art, elevating the value of the preliminary sketch as a vital part of the artistic process. It embodies a democratic spirit, where the act of making and the pursuit of ideas take precedence over polished presentation.