Annotaties 1878

This is "Annotaties," a drawing by Willem Witsen, held at the Rijksmuseum. The visual field is dominated by light, neutral tones. The artist uses thin, faint lines to create an impression of something barely there. The composition consists of what appears to be numerical notations and barely legible script scattered across the surface. These marks seem arbitrary, defying any immediate logical structure. This piece may invite us to consider how meaning is constructed. Witsen uses a semiotic system of signs, where the legibility of script and numerical notations suggests a potential for rational ordering and interpretation. However, the scattering and faintness of these signs disrupt any clear message. The drawing exists in a space between intention and randomness, clarity and ambiguity. It challenges the viewer to find a structure. It reminds us that art is often a site of exploration, where meaning is not fixed, but actively shaped through our interpretation.