Schetsen voor kunstenaars - deel één Possibly 1883 - 1885

This is "Sketches for Artists - Part One," a book crafted by Kōno Bairei in Japan. The book strikes us with its orange cover, a hue which speaks to the warmth and energy often associated with artistic creation. The surface is not smooth but presents a fine, woven texture. This tactile quality invites a sense of connection to the artist's process. To the side, a framed inscription employs vertical lines of text. The structure creates a visual rhythm that balances the otherwise uninterrupted field of color. This contrast between text and field is a kind of structural tension, a visual dialogue. We can see how Bairei is not just presenting a practical guide, but also embedding aesthetic principles into the very design of the book. The cover thus functions as an introduction to the artistic principles found within. It also reflects the broader interplay between form and function, where even utilitarian objects become expressions of cultural values.