Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 54 c. 1884 - 1887

Editor: Here we have Willem Witsen’s "Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 54," a pencil drawing on paper from around 1884 to 1887. The figure looks suspended, almost weightless, but it’s hard to discern much else. What do you see in this piece beyond the initial sketch? Curator: I see the art world's grappling with representation and the body. There's a turn towards modern life, yet this sketch feels deliberately un-monumental. Does this, perhaps, echo broader societal uncertainties, as traditional structures and artistic styles faced growing challenges from rapid industrialization and changing social norms? It certainly makes me question how we choose to represent ourselves, even in something seemingly so informal. Editor: I hadn't considered the social implications of what might seem a simple drawing. Curator: Think about the academies of the time, pushing for highly finished, idealized forms. A sketch like this pushes against that. How might the democratization of art production and access, enabled by simpler media like pencil, have influenced this stylistic choice? The location of such a sketch is important too. Held within a book of collected artworks it would have a different power than it might as a piece on display. Editor: That's fascinating – thinking about how art serves specific functions in society, rather than being simply 'beautiful'. It adds so many more layers to understanding Witsen’s intentions. Curator: Precisely! It encourages us to delve deeper and consider the interplay of art, institutions, and social dynamics. It seems a very conscious presentation of humanity in media becoming widely available, with social change always just beneath the surface. Editor: This sketch really opens up questions beyond just what's on the surface. Thanks!