Schetsboek met 44 bladen 1896 - 1897

This unassuming sketchbook was made by Willem Cornelis Rip, though its precise date remains unknown. Bound with a simple spine and filled with 44 blank pages, it's an object defined by potential. What stories could these pages tell? The paper itself, likely machine-made, speaks to the industrialization of art supplies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, making drawing accessible to a wider range of artists. The book's dimensions suggest portability, hinting at an artist who sketched on the go, capturing fleeting moments. The traces of use – smudges, stains, and wear – further enrich our understanding. They speak of the direct interaction between the artist and the object, a record of creative labor. These humble materials, combined with the artist's touch, elevate the sketchbook beyond its functional purpose. Ultimately, this object reminds us that art is not just about the finished product, but about the process, the materials, and the social context in which it is made.