Brug en bebouwing aan het water c. 1887 - 1920

Editor: This sketch by Willem Witsen, titled "Bridge and Buildings on the Water", and created sometime between 1887 and 1920, uses pencil and pen on paper. It feels incredibly immediate, almost like a fleeting thought captured on paper. What stands out to you? Curator: Well, what grabs my attention is the stark presentation of artistic labour itself. The medium is simple - graphite and ink - readily available and affordable, signifying a shift from the elite art production towards something more democratic. It raises questions about Witsen’s intended audience. Was this a preparatory sketch, or did he consider this work on paper a finished product? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It does seem so raw and unrefined compared to other works of the period. So, the everyday nature of the materials influences our perception? Curator: Precisely! And look closely at the bridge: consider it as a nexus point, connecting not just spaces but social spheres, too. Who used this bridge? What commerce, what daily lives moved across this structure captured by Witsen's hand? We see not only the physical structure but also the record of human interaction with the urban environment. Editor: I see what you mean. The bridge becomes almost a symbol of societal connections. Curator: Exactly! Furthermore, it pushes against established hierarchies by blurring lines between high art and craft. Traditionally, sketching served purely as groundwork towards final art pieces but here, we contemplate how Witsen subverts that conventional process by presenting his draft on display, open for viewing! Editor: It's fascinating how focusing on the materiality and context can completely transform my understanding of a seemingly simple sketch. Curator: Absolutely. And it highlights the power of the everyday in shaping both art and society.