Dieren, mogelijk schapen c. 1884 - 1887

Editor: This is "Dieren, mogelijk schapen" which roughly translates to "Animals, possibly sheep," made by Willem Witsen around 1884-1887. It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum, and it appears to be a drawing with charcoal and pencil on paper. It looks almost like a quick sketch; the sheep are rendered so minimally. What catches your eye about this piece? Curator: The rawness of the materials and the process is immediately apparent. Charcoal, pencil, and frottage, all readily available and inexpensive materials. Witsen's choice speaks volumes about artistic production and accessibility during this period. Instead of focusing on a finished product, this drawing emphasizes the act of observation and the labor involved in translating the artist’s perception onto paper. How do you think the choice of these materials influences the artwork’s overall impression? Editor: That’s a great point. The charcoal gives it this smudgy, unfinished feel, like it’s more about capturing a fleeting impression than creating a perfect likeness. It feels less about high art and more like…working-class art, maybe? Curator: Precisely. The use of such humble materials blurs the lines between “high art” and everyday practice, reflecting a changing attitude toward artistic labor. Consider, too, how the drawing engages with contemporary notions of industrialization and rural life. Witsen’s sketch brings to mind the relationship between animals and the production of resources. Editor: That’s not something I would have thought of, but it's very interesting! So, beyond just being a drawing of sheep, it speaks to larger questions about art making and also to rural life during that era. I see the materials used as active choices with meanings beyond just convenience. Curator: Exactly. It invites us to reconsider how artistic value is constructed, what work it takes to make it, and even what it shows, at the level of materiality. Editor: I’ll definitely look at sketches in a new light now, focusing not just on the image, but also how the artist went about constructing it and the significance of the materials. Curator: Wonderful. Let's keep exploring!