Boekhandelaar in zijn winkel c. 1900 - 1925

This drawing, "Boekhandelaar in zijn winkel", was made by the 20th-century printmaker Monogrammist GK, using graphite on paper. This choice of material is interesting, as it's a medium often associated with preliminary sketches rather than finished works. The artist's approach to graphite is loose and expressive. Look at the way the lines vary in weight and density, creating a sense of depth and texture. The layered strokes build up the forms of the books, the figure of the bookshop owner, and the interior of the shop itself. This emphasis on layering and the handmade is important, especially when considering the subject matter. The scene depicts an antiquarian bookseller surrounded by the tools of his trade, immersed in the world of printed knowledge. In essence, the drawing serves as a record of the bookshop owner's labor. The image highlights the value of the handmade, suggesting a connection between the artist's creative process and the bookseller's careful curation of rare and valuable books. It invites us to reconsider the hierarchy between fine art and craft, and to recognize the value of skilled labor in all its forms.