Abklatsch van een tekening c. 1884 - 1887

This work by Willem Witsen, held at the Rijksmuseum, presents us with a seemingly blank page, yet within its subtle imperfections, lies a world of meaning. The stains and smudges become symbols of time, use, and the hidden narratives they carry. Consider how similar marks have appeared throughout history, from the cave paintings of Lascaux, where accidental drips and overlapping pigments hinted at stories beyond the hunt, to the deliberate imperfections in wabi-sabi pottery, honoring the beauty of transience. The ‘accidental’ stain echoes the ‘Spolia’ of the Romans, where the imperfect was integrated into their architecture to convey dominance. Even in modern abstract expressionism, the subconscious is given free rein through splatters and uncontrolled gestures, revealing the hidden depths of the artist’s psyche. Here, the spolia is the canvas itself, the imperfections are not to be hidden but put on display, thus engaging us on a subconscious level, drawing us into the cyclical progression of human expression.