Annotatie c. 1888 - 1891

This 'Annotation' was created by Willem Witsen. The work presents an intriguing interplay of text and ground. Predominantly, a muted off-white expanse dominates, creating a field upon which the gestural, handwritten annotation to the right exists. The annotation’s script, rendered in a graphite medium, cascades vertically with a loose, informal rhythm. The choice of this inscription disrupts the stark emptiness, and it begs the question of what it is precisely annotating. Here, we see the formalism of semiotics at play. The annotation, as a signifier, alludes to something beyond itself. Yet, the absence of a clear referent destabilizes this relationship. The composition could be viewed as a commentary on language itself. The very act of inscription becomes a focal point. Ultimately, the work’s strength lies in its provocation, inviting viewers to reflect on the nature of signs, language, and the contextual frameworks we impose upon them.