Schetsboek met 28 bladen 1881 - 1927

This “Schetsboek met 28 bladen” or sketchbook with 28 pages, was created by Johan Antonie de Jonge. It’s literally a book, which is kind of cool because it's an artwork about the potential for art! I love the simplicity of the cover. The slightly mottled surface feels worn, like a well-loved object. The title is printed in a straightforward, sans-serif font. There's a directness to the presentation, like it’s saying, ‘Here I am, ready to be filled.’ That reminds me of the blank canvas, which for me is always a challenge, but also a space of possibility. What’s compelling about this piece is its quiet invitation. It makes me think of other artists who embraced the sketchbook as a primary form, like Cy Twombly, whose notebooks are artworks in themselves, filled with scribbles and half-formed ideas. It reminds us that art is not just about finished products, but about the process of thinking, experimenting, and seeing.