Schapen in een stal en een mannenbuste c. 1884 - 1887

This is a sketch by Willem Witsen, created between 1884 and 1887 and housed at the Rijksmuseum. The charcoal drawing depicts a sheep in a stable and a bust of a man, both rendered with loose and expressive strokes. The sketch is a study for a larger work and offers a glimpse into Witsen’s artistic process. The artist’s signature can be seen in the lower right corner of the sketch. Willem Witsen was a Dutch painter and graphic artist known for his realism and depictions of everyday life. His work is characterized by its simplicity and directness, offering a window into Dutch society in the late 19th century.