Gezicht op bebouwing 1901 - 1907

Editor: So this is Willem Witsen's "Gezicht op bebouwing," which translates to "View of Buildings," created sometime between 1901 and 1907. It's a drawing done with pencil, graphite, and pen on paper, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. It has this fleeting, dreamlike quality to it… like a half-remembered street. What captures your attention most about it? Curator: You know, it's funny, I'm immediately struck by how modern it feels. There's this urgency in the lines, almost like Witsen was desperately trying to capture the essence of the scene before it vanished. It’s a peek into his personal sketchbook. Have you ever had that feeling, the urge to preserve a moment before it fades? Editor: Absolutely! That rush when you see something and have to capture it. But beyond the feeling, what artistic elements stand out to you? Curator: The layering! Look at how he builds the scene with these almost frantic scribbles, particularly in the sky. There’s very little blending; it’s pure energy. And the composition, the way the buildings seem to loom and almost lean into each other… there's a sense of claustrophobia there, wouldn't you agree? Or am I reading too much into it? Editor: No, I see that too, especially with how the lines are denser at the top. It’s like the buildings are pressing down. The sketchiness adds to the unease. Curator: Exactly! He's not just showing us a street, he's sharing a mood, a fleeting moment of perception. Witsen wasn't aiming for photorealism; it's Impressionism, pure and simple, an immediate reaction laid bare. Editor: It definitely makes you think about what the artist was feeling in that moment. Thank you. This piece suddenly feels a lot more intimate now. Curator: My pleasure! Sometimes art is simply about feeling seen, and seeing the artist in return. Isn’t that beautiful?