Schetsboek met 42 bladen 1849 - 1895

This sketchbook was created by Willem Koekkoek in the Netherlands. It’s made of paper, bound between marbled boards. Although the contents are hidden from us, the sketchbook itself is evidence of a working process, one rooted in direct observation. The artist would have used it for preliminary studies, quick impressions, and experiments with composition. The book’s materiality is interesting, too. While we tend to think of sketchbooks as intimate objects, this one is quite large. Its size suggests that Koekkoek wasn’t just jotting down fleeting ideas. Instead, he may have seen the book as a relatively formal space, in which to develop his skill. The marbled boards give it a touch of class, distinguishing it from a purely functional notebook. In this sense, it exists in a space between fine and applied art. Like any artist’s tool, this sketchbook gives us access to the artist's process, challenging our notions of artistry and craftsmanship.