Schetsboek met 18 bladen Possibly 1943

Curator: Here we have a sketchbook cover, "Schetsboek met 18 bladen," attributed to Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, possibly from 1943. The materials seem straightforward—paper, pencil—a utilitarian object elevated through artistic intervention. What catches your eye? Editor: Instantly, it’s the handwritten script competing with the block letters of "SCHETSBOEK." It's like the whispers of the artist, annotations scribbled in the margins of their own creativity. The drawing of the hand is a poignant focus. What do you see materially in this work that resonates with the viewer? Curator: Well, the visible wear and age of the paper become incredibly significant. Considering the possible date of 1943, the material itself bears witness to a period of immense social and political upheaval. The scarcity and value of even humble materials like paper during wartime adds another layer to its reading. It’s a manufactured object repurposed into a vessel for artistic expression. Editor: That context of wartime scarcity is incredibly powerful. It transforms the simple act of sketching into an act of defiance, almost. And the hand – reaching, gesturing, perhaps yearning. Is this the artist's hand we're seeing? Is this the act of creation captured in shorthand? I feel a haunting immediacy. It gives a peek into the artist's mind. Curator: Absolutely. The materiality speaks directly to the circumstances of its creation and also complicates any romantic notions of artistic genius. We're reminded of the social and economic conditions shaping artistic production. The presence of what looks like a post office mark reinforces the idea this sketchbook was carried and circulated. This piece evokes themes surrounding restrictions on labor and creative resources, all visualized within its physical presence. Editor: I love how something as unassuming as a sketchbook cover can become a profound historical and emotional artifact. It becomes almost a holy relic in our mind. What once were rough thoughts are now refined, or in some instances preserved with their organic rough aesthetic. Curator: Indeed. Examining its production helps demystify and deepen our appreciation of the art. The artist transforms an ordinary material item through both skill and their surrounding context into something moving. Editor: A lasting moment!