Bosgezichten met bebouwing c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this sketch, titled 'Bosgezichten met bebouwing', with a pencil on paper. Witsen was a key figure in the Dutch art scene, born into a wealthy family in a time of significant social change in the Netherlands. This sketch gives us insight into the artist's world, reflecting the rapid urbanization and industrialization of the late 19th century. You can almost feel Witsen's emotional response to the changing landscape, as he captures these views with a sense of immediacy. His work provides an alternative narrative, documenting the transformation of the Dutch countryside during this era. Witsen was known for his connection to the 'Tachtigers', a group of Dutch artists and writers rebelling against conservative norms, who instead embraced individualism and sought to express personal and emotional experiences in their work. This piece gives us access to his own emotional landscape, shaped by his identity as a privileged artist navigating a rapidly changing world.