Studieblad met een vrouwenhoofd, een kind en een arm c. 1886

Willem Witsen made this sketch, 'Studieblad met een vrouwenhoofd, een kind en een arm', using graphite on paper. As the title says, the work is a study – a sheet filled with observations, quickly captured. The artist is using a humble material, graphite, commonly found in pencils. The marks are direct and unlabored. Witsen is clearly interested in how graphite can be used to create different effects, from the soft, smudged tones of the woman's face to the sharper lines defining the child and arm. The varying pressure of the graphite creates contrast and depth. Studies like these were often precursors to larger, more finished works. They allowed the artist to experiment with composition, light, and shadow. While it may seem like a simple drawing, the artist's careful attention to the material and process reveals a deep understanding of the foundations of visual expression. It’s a reminder that even the most basic materials can be used to create something beautiful and meaningful.