Kinderen spelen in de sneeuw in het Oosterpark in Amsterdam c. 1922

Willem Witsen made this etching called 'Children playing in the snow in the Oosterpark in Amsterdam'. Witsen was part of a group of Dutch artists who captured everyday life with a sense of realism and intimacy, but here he also depicts the collective experience of joy in a shared, public space. The children are grouped informally, suggesting spontaneous play rather than formal interaction. The bare trees and snow-covered ground set a stark, wintry scene, which reflects a particular historical moment in Amsterdam. This print evokes feelings of nostalgia, reminding us of simpler times and the universal experience of childhood wonder. It serves as a social document, capturing a specific time and place, while also speaking to broader themes of community, leisure, and the relationship between humans and nature.