Boten in een sloot c. 1884 - 1887

"Boten in een sloot" (Boats in a Ditch) is a pencil drawing by Willem Witsen, a prominent Dutch painter and draughtsman, created between 1884 and 1887. The artwork, held in the Rijksmuseum, showcases Witsen's characteristic style, emphasizing the immediacy of his observations. The quick, gestural strokes and the focus on capturing the essence of the scene rather than precise details give the drawing a sense of dynamism and spontaneity. This sketch, likely a study for a larger painting, exemplifies Witsen's artistic process, revealing his fascination with the everyday life of ordinary people in the Dutch countryside.