Studieblad met koeien 1901 - 1907

Willem Witsen made this sheet of cow studies with pencil. Isn't it amazing how a few simple marks can conjure a whole animal? Look at how the lines vary in weight and pressure. Some are dark and assertive, while others are light and almost hesitant. The overall feeling is one of spontaneity and exploration, like the artist was trying to capture the essence of the cows in a fleeting moment. See how the texture of the paper shows through, adding another layer of visual interest. The tooth of the paper grabs the graphite in such an appealing way. This piece makes me think of Degas's drawings – the same interest in movement and form, the same willingness to leave the process visible. Art is always a conversation across time. Sometimes, it's the questions that an artist asks, rather than the answers they provide, that really resonate.