Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 85 1888 - 1907

Editor: Here we have Willem Witsen’s "Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 85," an ink drawing on paper, made sometime between 1888 and 1907. What strikes me is the texture of the paper; it seems almost handmade. How would you approach analyzing this sketchbook page? Curator: Well, looking at the materials is key. We've got ink, paper – probably mass-produced, though the description suggests otherwise. Think about the accessibility of these materials at the turn of the century. Paper, even inexpensive paper, was becoming readily available, impacting artistic production and making sketching more democratic. How does that influence our interpretation of the work? Editor: So, the materials themselves point to a change in art making. Does the “sketchbook” aspect elevate or diminish its importance as a finished work? Curator: That's the crux of it, isn't it? We have traditionally valued "finished" art, but what happens when we examine the process? A sketchbook page is evidence of labor, of the artist working through ideas. Is the final product always superior to the preliminary work? This questions the traditional hierarchies in art. Who determined what constitutes "art" and why? What value do we place on labor and process, especially the labor of artists? Editor: That makes me see it differently. I was initially tempted to dismiss it as a simple sketch. But now, considering the changing availability of materials and its function as part of Witsen's process, it feels much richer. Curator: Exactly! By looking closely at the materials and how they were used, and thinking about social access and hierarchies in art, we gain a deeper understanding of Witsen’s artistic practice. It makes us question what we value and why. Editor: I see the artist's 'hand' here so much more clearly now. Thanks for your insights! Curator: And thank you for drawing attention to the materiality of the artwork. I'll never look at sketchbooks in the same way!