Schetsboek X met 43 bladen c. 1890 - 1920

This sketchbook, one of at least ten by Isaac Israels, now lives at the Rijksmuseum. It’s a glimpse into an artist’s mind, a space where ideas take shape, where the process is as important as the final piece. The cover is marked with smudges, stains, and the ghost of previous ideas, it’s like a well-used tool. It is a soft, muted palette of browns and creams, a quiet background against which the artist’s thoughts unfold. The texture of the canvas peeks through, grounding the work in its physicality. You can see how Israels interacts with this surface, almost like a conversation. Look closely at the upper left. The ink is thin and faded, but the “X” stands out. It's a fleeting moment, a record of a thought, or maybe just a doodle. It reminds me of Cy Twombly, the way he let his hand wander across the canvas, embracing the beauty of imperfection. Artmaking is a journey, and this sketchbook is a map of one artist's travels.