Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 12 c. 1887 - 1888

This photogravure on paper, called ‘Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 12’ was made by Willem Witsen, sometime between 1880 and 1923. The work presents us with the residue of an unseen process, a transfer of a chalk drawing. Its hazy appearance speaks to the alchemy of the darkroom, where light and chemical baths conjure an image from nothing. The visible traces of dust, of physical contact with the original drawing, remind us of the labor involved. Witsen was not only an artist, but a dedicated printer. He understood the nuances of ink, paper, and pressure, pushing the boundaries of reproductive techniques to create works of art in their own right. The photogravure, with its delicate tonal range and velvety surface, elevated printmaking to a new level of artistic expression. Consider the social implications of such a process. While the artist retained control over the image, the means of production introduced a degree of mechanical intervention. This democratization of art, while perhaps unsettling to some, broadened access to visual culture. It allowed for wider dissemination, contributing to a shared visual language and a collective understanding of the world.