Portret van Amit c. 1921

Willem Witsen created this lithograph portrait of Amit using a traditional printmaking process. Lithography involves drawing with a greasy crayon on a stone or metal plate, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. Looking closely, you can see how the velvety texture of the crayon gives the image its distinctive quality. Witsen likely exploited this inherent characteristic to capture the soft contours of Amit's face and the subtle gradations of light and shadow. The lithographic process allowed for the easy reproduction of this image, so it could be disseminated widely. In Witsen's time, printmaking was a vital means of artistic expression, but also a commercial activity. It sits at the intersection of art and industry. This work reminds us that even the most seemingly straightforward image is deeply intertwined with the means of its production and its place within a wider social context.