Studie, mogelijk van wolken 1870 - 1923

This sketch, tentatively titled "Studie, mogelijk van wolken," or "Study, possibly of clouds," was made by Willem Witsen. The medium is graphite on paper, which lends itself well to capturing the ephemeral quality of clouds. The composition consists of layered horizontal strokes, evoking the shifting forms of clouds. The artist employs a restricted palette of blacks and whites, focusing our attention on the interplay of light and shadow. The marks are gestural, with varying pressure creating a sense of depth and volume. By examining Witsen’s cloudscape, we encounter not just an image of the sky, but also an interpretation of the transient beauty of nature through the simplest of means. This sketch offers an opportunity to consider the ways in which a seemingly straightforward subject like clouds can be explored through line, tone, and texture.