Schetsboek XLVIII met 62 pagina's 1875 - 1934

This is sketchbook XLVIII, containing 62 pages, made by Isaac Israels. The material of the sketchbook cover isn't a traditional art material, but rather something found in everyday life. The texture and color immediately strike us: a dark brown, with a repeating, almost organic pattern embossed into its surface. It looks like a textile. The thickness and the width also point to its function: this was meant to be carried around, to record fleeting impressions. Sketchbooks are essential tools, spaces where artists can experiment, iterate, and refine their ideas. The way Israels used this sketchbook, the marks he made within it, all contribute to the artwork's cultural significance. It shows the artistry of an ordinary object, elevated by the marks within. Looking at the materials and making of this sketchbook challenges the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft, encouraging us to see artistry in the everyday.