Bukkend vrouwelijk naakt c. 1887 - 1892

Willem Witsen made this drawing of a nude woman with charcoal on paper. Note how the material dictates the aesthetic. Charcoal, with its powdery texture, lends itself to quick, expressive lines. Think of it as a conversation between artist and material. Witsen coaxes form out of the charcoal. The softness allows for shading, capturing the subtle curves of the model’s body. The directness of the medium leaves a record of the artist's hand—smudges, erasures, and varying pressure. This isn't a polished, finished artwork. It's a sketch, immediate and intimate. The simplicity of charcoal and paper allows us to focus on the artist’s process, his way of seeing. The labor involved is evident, but it's not about meticulous detail. It’s about capturing the essence of the figure. By embracing the inherent qualities of the material, Witsen reveals both the subject and the artistic act.