Portret, en face 1887

Willem Witsen created this portrait on paper, using graphite. The visible lines and smudges are not accidental; they are the result of a deliberate process that reveals as much as it conceals. Consider the act of drawing itself. The artist coaxes an image from a blank surface using a humble material: graphite. A relatively inexpensive material, graphite is a medium accessible to a wider range of artists, not just those with the resources for oil paints or bronze. The sketch-like quality, with its visible erasures and corrections, suggests a work in progress, a moment of intense labor and focus. It invites us to think about the artist's hand, the hours spent refining the image, and the inherent value of the creative process. This portrait thus embodies a democratic spirit, elevating the everyday and reminding us that art is not just about the finished product but also the journey of its making.