Portret van een onbekende man c. 1887 - 1891

Willem Witsen made this sketch of an unknown man using graphite on paper. It is a simple, intimate medium, one that invites the viewer to consider the process by which the portrait came into being. See how Witsen allows the starkness of the paper to define the man’s features. Graphite is a humble material, yet Witsen coaxes a remarkable tonal range from it; it's amazing how with such limited resources, the artist was able to create the shadows and textures of the face so convincingly. This material economy reflects the economic realities of artistic practice, especially in a time when not everyone could afford the expensive materials of oil painting. While the work is only a sketch, its social significance lies in its accessibility. The quickness and ease of the medium democratizes portraiture, making it possible to capture fleeting moments and ordinary people. In this way, the artwork challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and the more immediate, intimate realm of drawing.