Vaartgezicht Possibly 1897

Willem Witsen created this watercolor artwork, "Vaartgezicht," the Dutch word for canal view, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The composition emphasizes a horizontal structure dominated by muted greens and greys. The artist's careful arrangement of the foliage and the reflections on the water's surface create a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective. Witsen’s application of thin washes of watercolor gives the scene an ethereal, almost dreamlike quality. The reflections in the water are not mere replications but abstract distortions, mirroring the influence of Symbolism. Witsen uses the formal elements to destabilize the traditional landscape, moving beyond literal representation toward an exploration of mood and subjective experience. Notice how the artist masterfully plays with light and shadow to evoke a particular emotion. The subtle gradations in tone and color contribute to the artwork's contemplative atmosphere, inviting us to reflect on the ephemeral nature of perception.