Huizen aan het water te Venetië 1870 - 1923

Willem Witsen sketched "Houses on the Water in Venice" using graphite on paper. Witsen was a member of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement that captured everyday life through a soft and somewhat melancholic lens. This drawing presents a scene of Venetian houses reflected in water; the detailed facades, balconies, and windows offer glimpses into the lives within, while the reflections create an ethereal and dreamlike effect. Witsen’s choice of subject matter reflects the cultural fascination with Venice as a city of romance and mystery. Venice was a popular destination for upper-class tourists from the Netherlands and elsewhere. Witsen’s sketch avoids depicting any actual Venetians. It portrays Venice as a picturesque backdrop devoid of its inhabitants, which mirrors the colonial gaze prevalent at the time. The delicate pencil work evokes a sense of transience and nostalgia. This drawing invites you to consider the relationship between place, identity, and representation, as well as the ways in which artists interpret and shape our understanding of different cultures.