Schetsboek met 61 bladen 1890 - 1946

This sketchbook with 61 pages was created by Cornelis Vreedenburgh. The cover’s got this beautifully understated, almost meditative quality. It’s a simple binding of a light brown canvas, and there’s a faint suggestion of what’s inside—ghostly rectangles hinting at the blank pages, waiting to be filled. What grabs me is the texture. You can almost feel the weave of the canvas, the slight roughness, the way it might feel in your hands. It’s not trying to be slick or polished. It's got this very humble, unpretentious vibe, like a well-worn tool, ready for action. The subtle staining on the fabric is also really beautiful. Each mark telling a story, each smudge a reminder of the creative process. It's funny to think of Vreedenburgh carrying this around, ready to capture a fleeting idea. For me, it brings to mind Agnes Martin and her minimalist, grid-like drawings. There’s a similar sense of quiet contemplation and a focus on the essential elements of artmaking.