Skizzenbuch after 1848

This is a sketchbook by Karl Peter Burnitz, and though undated, it reflects artistic practices from the 19th century onward. The cover of the book is marbled, and the process of marbling paper is quite involved. Pigments are floated on a liquid bath, then combed into patterns, and finally transferred to the paper’s surface. Marbling has a long history, used for centuries to decorate books and occasionally other objects. Its appeal lies in the way that it can evoke natural forms, like stone or flowing water, with relative ease. Consider the labor involved in making this sketchbook. From preparing the paper to binding the covers, numerous steps reflect a culture of craft and hand production, that has gradually been displaced by mechanization, changing the way we think about skill, and the value we place on artistic labor. Appreciating this context gives us a deeper understanding of Burnitz's work, and the broader cultural shifts of his time.