Schetsboek met 43 bladen 1881 - 1883

This is a sketchbook with 43 pages, created by George Hendrik Breitner. Notice how the off-white rectangular form dominates our visual field. Its edges are clearly defined, providing a sense of closure and containment. The texture of the paper appears smooth, yet the subtle variations in tone suggest a certain materiality. These visual properties invite us to consider the sketchbook as an object—a repository of potential, rather than focusing solely on its representational function. Breitner’s sketchbook challenges our conventional understanding of art as solely the finished product. It represents a break from traditional notions of artistic creation, inviting us to contemplate art's conceptual and material dimensions. This work exists not just as an aesthetic object, but as a space for exploration and experimentation.