Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 36 c. 1887 - 1888

Willem Witsen created this intriguing work, ‘Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 36’, using a printing technique to transfer a chalk drawing onto paper. The immediate visual experience is one of ethereal lightness. The diffused chalk creates a hazy atmosphere, almost obscuring the forms beneath. Notice how the texture of the paper interacts with the chalk, adding layers of subtle complexity. The faint impressions of lines suggest a structure, perhaps architectural, but the lack of clear definition invites multiple interpretations. The ‘Abklatsch,’ or ‘rubbing,’ technique itself plays with notions of originality and reproduction. Witsen’s choice of this method highlights an interest in the process of image-making. Is it about capturing the essence of the original drawing, or about creating something entirely new through the act of reproduction? The hazy, dreamlike quality of the image further complicates these questions. The inherent ambiguity in the artwork destabilizes any fixed meaning, encouraging us to explore the poetics of impermanence. By drawing our attention to the materiality and the process of creation, Witsen invites us to appreciate the ephemeral nature of images and ideas.