Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 65 c. 1887 - 1888

Curator: This is an intriguing page from Willem Witsen's sketchbook, dating back to around 1887 or 1888. It's entitled "Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 65," which translates to "rubbing of the chalk drawing on page 65." The piece, rendered in pencil and colored pencil on paper, currently resides in the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: Wow, it gives off a strong feeling of restraint, almost like holding one's breath. The soft gray-blue is surprisingly intense for a "rubbing"—what exactly is that doing here? And what could be on the lost Page 65? Curator: The 'Abklatsch' or rubbing, was a common method for artists to transfer or preserve sketches, or even explore different variations of the same subject. It offers a fascinating look into Witsen's creative process—a peek behind the curtain, if you will. Editor: True. Knowing it’s a trace changes everything! It reads less like a finished piece, and more like a ghost, an echo. I wonder what he was trying to capture or remember. You can glimpse something off to the side on the other page... Curator: Precisely! What draws me in is the context—this sketchbook opens a window onto late 19th-century artistic practice. Witsen, deeply involved in Amsterdam's art scene, captured the city's atmosphere through the lens of Impressionism and this kind of experimental print making, engaging in dialogues with contemporaries. Editor: It makes you wonder about his intentions for each page. Was it meant to be seen as an intimate part of the whole, or were the pages considered independent studies? How many pages have survived? It really speaks to the artist as someone always looking and creating in-between more ambitious works, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. It humanizes him, presenting art-making as a continual, often fragmented, practice. It urges us to broaden our appreciation beyond formal exhibitions to private exercises that fueled his creativity and offered invaluable sources for understanding. Editor: Well, I'm off to dig through digitized sketchbooks! Thanks for opening my eyes to the secret life of "Abklatsch." Curator: My pleasure; I will carry on thinking of all those sketchbooks to consider...until next time.