Schetsboek met 45 bladen c. 1901 - 1927

This sketchbook with 45 pages was created by Johan Antonie de Jonge, though we don't know exactly when. The beige canvas cover is like a blank slate, a quiet beginning. It reminds me that artmaking is always a process. The surface isn’t pristine; it’s got smudges, marks, and a couple of darker spots that almost look like tears. These imperfections suggest use, time, and the intimate relationship between the artist and this object. The texture of the canvas is palpable, inviting touch, as if each imperfection tells a story of creation and exploration. The simplicity of this object reminds me of Agnes Martin, whose quiet and considered grids invite meditation. But where Martin’s work achieves a kind of minimalist perfection, this sketchbook embraces imperfection. It reminds us that art isn’t just about the finished product, but the journey, the process, and the countless possibilities contained within its pages. It's a space of imagination, where ideas come to life and take shape, slowly, over time.