Schetsboek met 33 bladen c. 1888 - 1901

This is a sketchbook with 33 pages, made by Anna Catharina Maria van Eeghen, who lived from 1878 to 1924. Sketchbooks can offer us a unique insight into the artistic process, revealing the preliminary stages of thought and experimentation that lead to finished works. This particular sketchbook, made in the Netherlands, invites us to consider the social context of artistic training and practice at the turn of the 20th century. Van Eeghen, as a woman artist, would have navigated a specific set of institutional and social constraints. What opportunities were available to her? Did she attend a formal art academy, or did she receive private instruction? The contents of the sketchbook – the sketches, studies, and notes – might offer clues about the artistic conventions and expectations of her time. Were there specific subjects that were considered appropriate for female artists? Did she challenge these norms in any way? Understanding the sketchbook in relation to the artist's life, education, and the broader art world of the Netherlands at the time can deepen our appreciation of its historical significance. By researching the archives of art academies, exhibition records, and biographical accounts, we can uncover a more complete picture.