Schetsboek met 17 bladen c. 1897 - 1899

This sketchbook with 17 pages was made by Willem Witsen, a Dutch artist who lived from 1860 to 1923. Sketchbooks offer a unique glimpse into the artistic process. They represent a space where artists experiment, develop ideas, and record their observations. During Witsen’s time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and economic changes, including urbanization and industrialization. As such, sketchbooks could be a way to engage with the realities of modern life, or as a retreat from them. Looking through the pages of this sketchbook, we can consider how Witsen engaged with the artistic conventions of his time. Was he challenging traditional artistic norms or reinforcing them? Did his work reflect the social and political issues of the time? By studying sketchbooks, along with letters, diaries, and other historical documents, we can gain a richer understanding of the artist's world and the social forces that shaped their work. The meaning of art is always contingent on its historical and institutional context.