Studieblad met schapen c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this page of sheep studies with graphite on paper. It’s a humble pairing of materials, pencil to paper, immediate and accessible. The sketches capture the sheep in various poses: grazing, standing, and from behind. There’s a real sense of attentiveness to the natural world. The artist's hand moves across the page, capturing fleeting moments with minimal strokes. Witsen is working fast and in an economic way, using only what’s necessary. But even in this simple study, there is a connection to broader social and economic concerns. In the late 19th and early 20th century, sheep farming was integral to the rural economy. So, Witsen's choice of subject reflects his engagement with the working life that surrounds him. Ultimately, this study reminds us that every artwork, no matter how small, is born from a specific time, place, and set of material conditions.