Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 12 c. 1897 - 1899

Willem Witsen made this offset of a chalk drawing on page 12. The impression provides a glimpse into the creative process and the role of experimentation in the late 19th century. Witsen belonged to a generation of Dutch artists who were processing the rapid urbanization and industrialization of their country. As a member of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, Witsen explored themes of urban life, often focusing on the quiet corners and hidden aspects of the city. His art sought to capture fleeting moments and subjective experiences. This offset drawing, with its blurred and faint lines, invites us to consider the traces of memory and the passage of time. Consider what it meant to capture a moment in a rapidly changing world. The drawing captures an emotional aspect, where the industrial world melds with individual lives, marking a profound shift in Dutch society and artistic expression.