Schetsboek met 72 bladen 1888 - 1907

This is the cover of ‘Sketchbook with 72 pages’ by Willem Witsen, whose dates are 1860 to 1923. It is currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Looking at this sketchbook, consider Witsen's position as part of the Dutch elite during a time of significant social change. Born into a wealthy family, Witsen was part of a generation grappling with industrialization, urbanization, and shifting class structures. His art captures the atmospheric qualities of the Dutch landscape, often focusing on the changing urban environment of Amsterdam. Sketchbooks often serve as intimate records of an artist’s observations and thoughts. They can act as a space where preliminary ideas are worked through, where artists can play with their ideas. What was Witsen thinking as he produced the works within? The act of sketching itself might be seen as a form of quiet resistance, a personal way to make sense of the world. Think about the stories, the personal histories, and the moments of everyday life that this simple object might contain.