Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 26 c. 1892 - 1897

Editor: Here we have Willem Witsen’s charcoal and pastel drawing, "Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 26," created sometime between 1892 and 1897. It's ghostly and indistinct; almost like a memory fading. What stands out to you? Curator: Indeed. The term "Abklatsch," meaning "reproduction" or "copy," already suggests something removed, a trace of an image. This appeals to me as it shows how images persist, albeit altered. Do you notice how Witsen's impressionistic landscapes often feature water, canals, or rain? Editor: Yes, I can see the subtle depiction of what looks like a body of water! It's so understated, almost hidden. What does the constant return of these symbols tell us about Witsen’s memories? Curator: Water, symbolically, carries great weight. In many cultures, it represents the unconscious, the flow of time, or purification. For Witsen, navigating the artistic circles of his time while grappling with personal struggles, water could have been a symbol of emotional cleansing, or perhaps the relentless currents of life. Do you get the feeling that these pastel works may also suggest feelings that are constantly in flux? Editor: It definitely feels that way! Knowing the historical and psychological underpinnings enriches the experience. Now I wonder, when viewing this, what past feelings were brought up and displayed to the canvas. Curator: Exactly. Art becomes a dialogue with history and self. Each faint line holds the weight of its own experience.