Gezicht op Sutter Street te San Francisco 1915

Willem Witsen made this pencil drawing, titled 'View of Sutter Street in San Francisco', around the turn of the century. Witsen was a Dutch artist who travelled widely, and this image offers a glimpse into his encounter with a rapidly growing American city. The drawing captures a moment of urban development and transformation. Sutter Street, once a quiet residential area, was becoming a bustling commercial center. We see buildings of varied heights and styles, suggesting a city in flux, caught between its past and its future. The sketch-like quality emphasizes the transient nature of urban life, reflecting Witsen's experience as a foreign observer. Understanding this image requires historical context. San Francisco was booming in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fueled by the Gold Rush and subsequent economic opportunities. If we want to understand how Witsen's experience of San Francisco contrasts with that of someone who lived there, we can consult period photographs and newspapers. We can also compare this drawing with others that Witsen made elsewhere. Only then can we understand the social conditions that shape not just our lives, but also artistic production.