Schetsboek met 45 bladen c. 1871 - 1878

Editor: Here we have "Sketchbook with 45 leaves" by Maria Vos, made between 1871 and 1878. It looks to be a mixed-media drawing on paper. It appears very worn, like an object handled frequently. What can you tell me about it? Curator: From a materialist perspective, it's compelling to consider the 'Sketchbook' as an object deeply embedded in a system of production and consumption. Think about the materials: the paper, the binding. Where were they sourced? Who made them? This was a commodity, not simply an object of inspiration. Editor: So, beyond the artistic skill, you’re emphasizing the entire industrial process that enabled its creation? Curator: Precisely! Consider the labor involved in its construction – the paper mill workers, the bookbinders. Their contributions are often overlooked when we focus solely on the artist's hand. How might those social relations inform the content of the sketchbook itself, influencing which materials and resources Maria Vos had access to? Editor: That makes me think about access to art supplies at the time, it certainly wasn’t available to everyone, so its mere presence signifies status. Curator: Exactly! The physical properties and creation process become very important and open up multiple perspectives of analysis. These elements influence the perceived and very tangible value of art in a commercial market that facilitates these inequalities. I now want to explore and question traditional values of artwork through these relations, instead of separating the artist and "Artwork". Editor: That's such an insightful perspective. Thinking about art this way helps reveal how materials, production, and social factors are integral to the artwork's significance. Curator: Absolutely, it re-centers our attention onto not just what we see but also how it came to be seen and valued within society.