Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 23 c. 1886 - 1891

This is "Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 23" by Willem Witsen, a work whose date is unknown, found at the Rijksmuseum. At first glance, what stands out is the interplay between the off-white expanse of the paper and the chance occurrences of marks and stains. These aren't just blemishes; they form a delicate, abstract composition. The accidental nature of the blots and streaks invites us to question traditional notions of artistic intention and control. Is this simply a discarded page, or does it challenge our preconceptions of what constitutes a finished work of art? In structuralist terms, we might consider how this work disrupts the binary of intentional design versus random occurrence, prompting a re-evaluation of value and meaning. The texture of the paper, combined with the subtle gradations of color, further complicates our understanding. It asks, what happens when we embrace the incidental, allowing chance to dictate the aesthetic outcome? This work acts as a reminder that art is not always about the deliberate construction of meaning, but sometimes about the acceptance and celebration of the unplanned.