Studieblad met schapen c. 1884 - 1887

Editor: This is Willem Witsen's "Studieblad met schapen," a study sheet with sheep, from around 1884 to 1887. It's a pencil drawing. It feels like a glimpse into the artist’s private sketchbook, a moment of observation. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, this isn't just a sketch of sheep, it’s a document of its time, of Witsen’s place within the art world and the broader social landscape. The loose style, the emphasis on capturing a fleeting moment...it reflects a shift away from academic precision toward a more impressionistic approach. We also need to consider the socio-economic context; were such sketches part of a larger project intended for public display or consumption, aligning with specific market demands or societal tastes? Editor: That's a good point. So it’s not just about the sheep themselves, but the artistic trends that were forming around the time Witsen was working? Curator: Precisely! Think about how the art market was changing, how artists were finding new ways to connect with audiences. These sketches are part of a larger discourse on realism and the role of the artist. Could these sheep, or the act of sketching them, carry symbolic weight relating to the Netherlands' agrarian roots, the relationship between urban and rural life, or even colonial ventures involving livestock? Editor: It’s interesting to think about this simple drawing as connected to something larger than just art for art's sake. I hadn't thought about those connections. Curator: Exactly. Consider the power dynamics implicit in the representation of animals, especially in a historical context of land ownership and agricultural production. Art never exists in a vacuum. Editor: Wow, that really reframes my view of what seemed like just a simple drawing. It's incredible how much history can be packed into something like this.