Schetsboek met 23 bladen 1880 - 1882

This is a sketchbook with 23 pages, created by George Hendrik Breitner, a Dutch artist known for his depictions of urban life in Amsterdam. The swirling, marbled pattern on the cover calls to mind the ebb and flow of city life itself. This motif, reminiscent of ancient marbling techniques, is not merely decorative; it speaks to a deeper, almost primordial sense of chaos and order intertwined. Consider the "rota fortunae," the Wheel of Fortune, a concept seen in Roman mosaics and medieval tapestries. It symbolizes the capricious nature of fate and the unpredictable cycles of human existence. Breitner's era was in the grip of rapid industrialization. This marbled cover can evoke the unease and fluidity of such dramatic societal changes. The cover becomes more than just a protective shell, it’s a gateway, an invitation to explore the artist’s mind, shaped by the currents of his time. Through these pages, Breitner captured fleeting moments, each sketch echoing the timeless dance between chance and destiny.