Nieuw prentenalbum 1900 - 1912

This diptych, entitled 'Nieuw prentenalbum', was created by Matsui Yûkoku, and now resides in the Rijksmuseum. Look at the surface. Time has left its mark, hasn't it? The covers display an aged patina, revealing the paper's texture and the subtle imperfections that come with the passage of time. I can imagine the artist, maybe hunched over a desk, carefully applying each brushstroke to create the block of text. The writing itself is assertive and bold. They create a visual anchor, juxtaposed with the muted tones of the aged paper. I wonder, did the artist intend for this work to age this way, to acquire this kind of worn beauty? It reminds me that we're all part of a long, ongoing conversation, artists across time sharing ideas, inspiring each other. It shows me that there is always room for new interpretations.