Spittende vrouw c. 1886

Willem Witsen made this drawing, "Spittende vrouw," with pencil on paper. The drawing has a somber mood and a sense of quiet labor through its depiction of a woman working in a field, rendered with a focus on form and gestural line work. Witsen’s formal approach here leans into realism, showing the figure in a naturalistic, albeit simplified, manner. The shading and lines are used to suggest depth and texture, particularly in the woman’s clothing and the rough terrain. The composition, with the figure centrally placed, emphasizes her presence and activity, while the bleak background adds to the overall feeling of isolation. By focusing on the structural aspects of the composition, Witsen prompts viewers to consider the broader cultural implications of labor and representation. The artwork is a poignant commentary on the lives and experiences of the working class in the late 19th century. Witsen destabilizes romantic notions of rural life by presenting a raw, unidealized view of agricultural labor.