Roeiboot c. 1897 - 1900

Willem Witsen sketched this work, Roeiboot, with graphite on paper. Witsen came from a wealthy family, and his artistic development occurred during a period of significant social change in the Netherlands, including the growth of industrialization and urbanization. The sketch presents a rowing boat, seemingly captured in a moment of quiet contemplation. The seemingly simple image hints at the broader social implications of leisure and access during Witsen's time. Rowing, as a recreational activity, may have been more readily available to the upper classes. This drawing is a personal exploration and an invitation for us to consider the social and economic dimensions of leisure and freedom. The work provides an intimate glimpse into a moment of artistic creation and provokes questions about how class and privilege are intertwined with the act of observing and representing the world.