Schetsboek met 30 bladen 1881 - 1883

This is a sketchbook, made by George Hendrik Breitner, likely around the turn of the twentieth century. It's a modest object, bound in a plain weave fabric, probably cotton. This material choice speaks volumes. Breitner was known for his gritty depictions of Amsterdam street life, a far cry from the polished interiors and portraits favored by many artists of his time. This sketchbook, well-worn and unpretentious, reflects that sensibility. The cover isn't fine leather or decorated paper; it's a utilitarian textile, something you might find in a workman’s satchel. It suggests a direct, unfussy approach to art-making, a willingness to engage with the everyday. The sketchbook’s very ordinariness is what makes it interesting. It reminds us that art isn't always about precious materials or high-flown techniques. Sometimes, it's about capturing a fleeting moment with whatever means are at hand. In that sense, this simple object challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and the more humble world of craft.