Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 26 c. 1884 - 1891

Willem Witsen made this 'Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 26', or 'rubbing of the chalk drawing on page 26', at an unknown date with chalk. This delicate image invites us to think about the artist's process, his working methods, and the ways in which he made art. Made in the Netherlands, this work on paper reflects the cultural milieu of late 19th and early 20th century Dutch art, in which there was an increased interest in printmaking. The Rijksmuseum, where this work is housed, emerged as a prominent institution during this time, shaping artistic tastes and collecting practices. Witsen, active in artistic circles in Amsterdam and London, straddled the traditional art world and the burgeoning printmaking scene. His creation of a rubbing, a technique often used for reproduction, suggests an engagement with the democratization of art and the changing role of the artist. Examining artist's sketchbooks or account books in the archives allows us to understand the social life of art. This helps us to interpret it and see how it reflected cultural shifts.