Gezicht op een Amsterdamse gracht met vogels c. 1887 - 1920

"Gezicht op een Amsterdamse gracht met vogels" is a preliminary drawing, likely executed in pencil, for a larger composition by Dutch artist Willem Witsen. Created between 1887 and 1920, this study, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, captures a view of an Amsterdam canal, likely the city's famous canals, with the inclusion of birds. Witsen, known for his depictions of urban scenes and daily life in Amsterdam, utilized sketching as a way to explore potential compositions and to capture the essence of his surroundings. This sketch provides a glimpse into Witsen's creative process, showcasing the artist's preliminary thoughts and his keen observation of the city's unique atmosphere.