Annotatie 1893 - 1897

This sketch, Annotatie, was made by Willem Witsen, using graphite on paper. The paper is thin, and the graphite smudges easily, as we can see. The artist has made some annotations in ink, and they are visible near the bottom left of the page. These materials give the work its rough appearance. You can imagine Witsen pulling out his sketchbook to record an idea. It’s not meant to be a finished work of art. It's more like a note to himself. The casualness of the materials – graphite, paper – suggests a fleeting moment of inspiration. Witsen is thinking through the act of drawing itself. We can see this as part of a broader trend in art history. Artists became interested in the process of creation. They valued sketches and studies, not just finished paintings and sculptures. By showing us the artist's working methods, the sketch invites us to appreciate the labor and thought that goes into making art. It blurs the line between preparation and the final product. This sketch asks us to think about what we value in art, and why.