Schetsboek LXVIII met 11 bladen 1875 - 1934

This is Sketchbook LXVIII with 11 sheets, made by Isaac Israels. It's not dated, but it is held in the Rijksmuseum. The cover is all about texture, a rough landscape of tiny brown and gold flecks creating a marbled effect that feels almost geological, like looking at a close-up of ancient rock. Up close, the cover is a physical object that has experienced life, but also creates the space where artwork can begin. Think about the role of a sketchbook. It’s a place for trying things out, for making mistakes, and for those moments of brilliance that come from the freedom to experiment. It’s a space where you aren’t supposed to be perfect, a space where the hand and the eye can learn to work together. Looking at this sketchbook reminds me that art isn't just about the finished product; it's about the messy, beautiful, unpredictable process of getting there. Think of Cy Twombly’s sketchbooks, they share that same unpretentious intimacy.