Landschap met figuren c. 1884 - 1887

This pencil drawing, "Landschap met figuren," was made by Willem Witsen at an undetermined date. Although faint, the figures here carry a powerful resonance. Note the hat worn by one of the figures, not unlike the 'petasus' worn by Hermes, the messenger of the gods, as he traverses between worlds. The hat is more than mere headwear; it’s a symbol of transition, of journeying through life’s landscapes. We see echoes of this motif throughout art history, from the broad-brimmed hats of Renaissance travelers to the caps worn by pilgrims on their spiritual quests. Each hat, in its own way, speaks to our collective subconscious, reminding us of the perpetual human journey. The very act of drawing, of capturing a fleeting moment, engages with time itself, echoing across centuries, resonating in the depths of our shared cultural memory. What do you see reflected in these simple lines?