Schetsboek LIV met 18 bladen c. 1886 - 1934

This sketchbook cover by Isaac Israels, now at the Rijksmuseum, feels like a quiet moment amidst a life of art-making. I imagine Israels carrying this around, a trusty companion for jotting down ideas and observations. What did he slip in his bag? What was he thinking about when he decided to use this sketchbook? The ochre color and visible wear remind us of its age, a testament to the artist's process. Like an archeological dig, the surface itself has history. Think about it – the texture, the simple binding… It's not just about the images he put inside, but the object itself, the place where ideas are worked out. Sketchbooks are such intimate things. We, as artists, are always in conversation with each other. Israels' little book is a reminder that art-making is an ongoing process. An artist embraces ambiguity, uncertainty, and experimentation, allowing for multiple interpretations.