Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 28 c. 1884 - 1887

This charcoal drawing was made by Willem Witsen, sometime between 1880 and 1920. It now resides in the Rijksmuseum. Although appearing abstract, the drawing hints at an interior scene, perhaps a corner of a room or a study, seen in muted tones, sketched with a soft, almost dreamlike quality. Witsen was part of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, a late 19th-century group that captured everyday life with a focus on atmosphere and light. But the drawing's abstraction also hints at modernism, with the subject matter less important than the act of seeing itself. As historians, understanding Witsen's cultural context is crucial. We might explore the rise of urbanism in Amsterdam, the shift from realism to impressionism, and the increasing interest in subjective experience. Letters, exhibition reviews, and studies of his peers, like George Hendrik Breitner, offer further insights. Ultimately, this drawing becomes a window into a pivotal moment in art history, reflecting changing social values and the evolving role of the artist.