Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 10 c. 1887 - 1892

Willem Witsen created this drawing with chalk on paper. It is a copy, or 'Abklatsch', of a previous drawing on page 10. Chalk is such an immediate medium, isn't it? It allows for quick sketches and capturing fleeting moments, perfect for an artist like Witsen, known for his atmospheric depictions of Amsterdam. The grainy texture of the chalk gives the image a soft, almost dreamlike quality. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the paper, building up the image with delicate strokes. The process of creating a copy, an ‘abklatsch’, adds another layer of meaning. It’s not just about replicating an image, but about engaging with it, understanding it, and perhaps even adding something new in the process. The act of copying becomes a form of interpretation. So, next time you look at a simple chalk drawing, remember that there's more to it than meets the eye. The choice of materials, the artist's technique, and the social context all contribute to the artwork's unique story.