Notities 1907

This page of 'Notities' was likely created by Willem Cornelis Rip sometime around 1901, probably with ink on paper. It's all about process, this piece - not just in its creation but in what it represents. Look at how the penmanship varies, the ink sometimes thick and purposeful, sometimes thin and hurried. It's a direct link to Rip's thinking, a snapshot of his calculations. I’m drawn to the blue scribbles on the left, over the top of the previous notes. There's a raw energy here, a layering of ideas and adjustments. It reminds me of Cy Twombly's notebooks, the way he'd scrawl and cross out, building up a palimpsest of thought. Rip seems to be exploring ideas of value and place. It's not a finished painting, but a glimpse into the messy, vital process behind art. Like life, it’s about constant revision.