Schetsboek met 51 bladen c. 1868s - 1878s

This sketchbook with 51 pages, now in the Rijksmuseum, was created by Jan Willem van Borselen, who lived from 1825 to 1892. Van Borselen situated himself within the Hague School, a group of artists who captured the quiet, rural landscapes of the Netherlands. Consider this sketchbook not just as a repository of drawings, but as a deeply personal object. Its modest size suggests portability, hinting at an intimate relationship between the artist and his constant companion. The cover shows its age: worn edges and faded clasps evoke the passage of time, carrying the weight of the artist's memories, travels, and observations. Think about the sketches held within: perhaps studies of light on the water, or quick impressions of figures in the fields. Each page might represent a moment of connection between the artist and his environment, reflecting his emotional and intellectual responses to the world around him. In this way, the sketchbook becomes a mirror, reflecting the artist's inner life and his place within the cultural landscape of his time.