Schetsboek XIV met 17 bladen 1875 - 1934

This is the cover of a sketchbook, 'Schetsboek XIV met 17 bladen', by Isaac Israels, housed in the Rijksmuseum. I can see the paper is a faded blue, like old jeans. Just looking at it now, I can sense Israels in his studio, reaching for this very sketchbook. It probably became his trusty companion. The cover shows smudges, faded lines, and a handwritten inventory number, a testament to its well-used nature. Think of the life it's had! Imagine Israels flipping through the pages, searching for a fresh canvas to capture a fleeting moment. Maybe he used charcoal, ink, or perhaps even quick watercolor washes in there. Like all artists, Israels was in conversation with other artists such as Manet and Degas. Sketchbooks like this aren't just filled with static images; they're alive with the potential for movement and change, of the ongoing dialogue among artists, fueling new ways of seeing and making.