Ophaalbrug over een slotgracht c. 1887 - 1888

"Ophaalbrug over een slotgracht" (Drawbridge over a Moat) is a graphite drawing by Willem Witsen, dating back to 1887-1888. The drawing, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, portrays a simple yet evocative scene of a drawbridge spanning a moat, likely in a Dutch village or town. The composition is dominated by the bridge's structure, with the building in the background subtly adding depth to the scene. Witsen's use of subtle shading and light lines lends a sense of realism and atmosphere to the sketch, capturing the quiet beauty of the Dutch landscape.