Schetsboek met 57 bladen 1849 - 1895

This is Willem Koekkoek's sketchbook with 57 pages, now held in the Rijksmuseum. Koekkoek lived and worked during a time of immense social change in the Netherlands, a period marked by growing industrialization and urbanization. The sketchbook itself becomes a space where Koekkoek could reflect the changing world around him and his place within it. During the 19th century, sketchbooks were more than just practical tools; they were intimate spaces for artists to record observations, experiment with ideas, and develop their personal styles. The act of sketching allowed artists to engage directly with their environment, translating fleeting moments and personal experiences into visual form. Reflecting on this book, we might wonder about the everyday experiences and emotions Koekkoek captured within its pages. It stands as a reminder of the power of art to document and interpret the complexities of human experience within broader social and environmental contexts.