Brug bij het Campo Sant'Angelo te Venetië 1914

Willem Witsen made this sketch of a bridge near Campo Sant' Angelo in Venice, at some point, with a pencil. I love how Witsen captures the essence of Venice with these simple, almost scribbled lines, like he’s trying to catch a fleeting thought. It's so immediate, you can almost feel the artist standing there, quickly jotting down what he sees. The texture of the paper becomes part of the artwork, adding a layer of grit and authenticity. Look at the way he renders the water, it’s not about perfect representation, but more about capturing the movement and feel of light on the water. Then there’s the bridge itself, a simple arc made of these rough, confident strokes. It makes you wonder about the artist’s hand, his energy, and his impulse. Think of other sketchers like Daumier. It's this lineage of artists who aren't afraid to embrace the sketch as a space for experimentation and raw expression, showing that art is an ongoing conversation, a shared exploration of ways of seeing.