Schetsboek met 69 bladen vervaardigd in de omgeving van Delft, Rotterdam, Oudewater en Harlingen c. 1828 - 1897

Editor: Here we have a sketchbook by Adrianus Eversen, dated between 1828 and 1897. It includes 69 pages of drawings and mixed-media works using watercolor and paper. The cover has a kind of mottled, worn look. What can you tell me about this object, beyond its aesthetic value? Curator: For me, the appeal here lies in its nature as a utilitarian object. What kind of paper was used, and how readily available was it? The sketchbook form itself implies something about artistic practice – the rise of en plein air painting, perhaps? This suggests new forms of artistic labor that must be explored. Editor: So you're less interested in the artistic merit of the sketches themselves and more in the socio-economic conditions of its production? Curator: Exactly. Who bound this book? Where were the materials sourced? What does the evident wear and tear tell us about its history of use and ownership? A discarded sketch might reveal more about artistic labor and economic realities of artistic production in that time than a finished masterpiece. Editor: That's a fascinating way to look at it! I never really considered how much labor went into the art supplies themselves. I guess I was focused on the "art" part. Curator: Precisely! Consider the social hierarchy embedded even in art supplies – from mass-produced paper to custom-made pigments. Analyzing the materials gives a tangible connection to the social and economic conditions that shaped Eversen's work. It can democratize the perception of artistic legacy. Editor: So, by examining the process and the materials we can gain a deeper understanding of not just the artist, but the entire system surrounding artistic creation. That changes everything! Curator: Indeed! It prompts a re-evaluation of value, shifting the focus from the individual genius to the collective labor underpinning artistic endeavors. I hope our listeners come away with this enriched insight!