Sketchbook was striking for how recently it was published: my library copy has a white cover already discolored enough to trespass on beige. It has a 2011 copyright but something about Berger's perspective, maybe the depth of his historical use, maybe the strength of his age in his narrative voice, maybe his wandering but conscious path through the material of his own experience (but likely a combination of all these things) make the book seem like a relic. One of the concepts this book builds itself on is the exchange of scales of space, necessary for and incorporated in the act of drawing, for a sense of time. He creates a similar effect with his own prose. The drawings are beautiful in their honest state but not aesthetically perfect, very much a sketchbook, and a logical result from an artistic process he describes as not making a better drawing but making more of the subject come through the image.
It's comprehensive theoretically, discussing the process of drawing from every angle, the things which are similar and very different from drawing, the life experiences he has had that have inspired his drawing, resulted from his drawing, and even, in the case of a memorable museum anecdote, taken place while he is drawing. The structure rejects a categorization or plot trajectory, but a change I did notice toward the end of the book is that Berger begins to address Spinoza (Bento) in second person, offering his thoughts as a conversation rather than simply alternating his own experiences and thoughts.
I liked this book, but ultimately I'm no credible and objective authority on the topic, because I don't draw. ( )

I found this a charming and perceptive book. Berger's prose is easy to read and effectively punctuated. In contrast I must admit that I found the quotations from Spinoza in many cases impenetrable. I tried hard with a number of them but failed!

In particular I enjoyed his quirky approach in wondering who else in his Paris library catchment could possibly be reading The Brothers Karamazov and whether he would recognise them on the street.

The pieces on plums and the irises are both exquisitely written and make one look again at colours and structures.

For me this book could stand without the quotations from Spinoza, but that is probably heretical. I am however looking forward to reading his book entitled 'Portraits'.

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/a-pair-of-verso-volumes... ( )

Ruminative. Almost languid. John Berger considers narrative and pictorial expression, the effort to call attention and the effect of seeing. Drawing from events in his life, his reading, his life-long study of art, Berger juxtaposes his reflections with numerous ink drawings. And interspersed throughout the text are excerpts from Baruch Spinoza’s writings, principally his Ethics. The effect is a gentle but thoughtful journey into Berger’s very humane understanding of art and life.

The Spinoza extracts, which might appear gnomic even if they were not presented out of context as they are here, form a running challenge for Berger. Spinoza, ascetic by choice or necessity (he lived in abject poverty), is nevertheless the great rationalist of 17th century thought. Although rumoured to have also drawn and painted, none of his artwork survives. In part, Berger imagines his own ink drawings filling in for those Spinoza might have attempted.

This is not a work of philosophical commentary on Spinoza. Nor is it straightforwardly an argumentative essay, though Berger does tend toward severe demarcations of categories and strong declarations. Rather the work stands as a whole — more like an artwork itself than anything else. And as such it can be enjoyed, used to prompt reflections of your own, and patiently pondered. And thus, gently recommended. ( )

Een titel als Bento’s Sketchbook trekt natuurlijk de aandacht van een Spinoza-vriend. Dus gauw besteld via Amazon.de, dat de beste prijs heeft. Na een incubatieperiode waarin ik het mooi gepresenteerd boek nieuwsgierig besnuffel en het wat tijd op de leestafel geef, ben ik erin begonnen, aarzelend, tot ik deze namiddag in de tuin de rest heb uitgelezen.

Het is een ongewoon boek. Er staan ontroerende kortverhalen in, voorgesteld als autobiografisch; tekeningen en aquarellen; en citaten van Spinoza. Deze drie elementen worden op een tedere, tastende manier met elkaar in verband gebracht. Dit is een zeer persoonlijk boek, dat je direct aanspreekt, zowel door de tekst als de illustraties.

John Berger (°1926) is een complexe figuur, met een indrukwekkende lijst aan publicaties. Als kennismaking is dit zeker geslaagd. Een ideaal boek om aan iemand te schenken die je graag ziet. ( )