Abklatsch van een krijttekening 1870 - 1923

Willem Witsen made this chalk drawing, whose title translates to 'rubbing of a chalk drawing,' sometime between 1860 and 1923. The most striking aspect of this drawing is its seemingly abstract quality; however, upon closer inspection, you might discern the faint outlines of trees or other natural forms. This abstraction and the hint of landscape elements invites us to consider the psychological and emotional power inherent in representations of nature. In many cultures, the forest is a place of both refuge and danger, a symbolic space where the boundaries between the conscious and subconscious blur. You see, these symbols and gestures are like powerful currents that surface again and again in our art across time. This drawing's nebulous quality engages the viewer's subconscious, calling forth a sense of mystery and introspection, reminding us that art is not merely about what we see, but about what it makes us feel and remember.