Schetsboek met 19 bladen c. 1888 - 1891

This sketchbook, made by Willem Witsen in the late 19th or early 20th century, is constructed from paper and bound in a textured cloth cover. The dimensions are modest, making it a portable companion for an artist capturing fleeting moments. The sketchbook’s materiality speaks to its function. The paper, though unseen, is fundamental, and the cloth covering offers durability, hinting at the book's intended use in the field, or in bustling cityscapes. The cover also bears the marks of time, with stains and wear suggesting a life of use. The binding and the fastening cord represent a level of handcraft, contrasting with the mass-produced paper within. In its totality, the object embodies a convergence of industrial and artisanal methods, reflecting the changing landscape of artistic production during Witsen's time. Considering the sketchbook as an object in itself, we recognize the value in understanding its material history, its use, and its place within broader social and economic contexts. This approach blurs the traditional boundaries between art, craft, and design.