Studie, deels uitgeknipt c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this study, partly cut out, in graphite. Looking at this study, we must consider Witsen's social milieu in the Netherlands during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was part of a group known as the Amsterdam Impressionists. They often depicted scenes of daily life, but also cultivated an image of artistic rebellion. Witsen came from a wealthy family, but he associated with artists who challenged the conservative artistic establishment. This drawing provides a glimpse into the artist's creative process. The fragmented composition and the visible erasures suggest a sense of experimentation. To understand Witsen's place in art history, one could consult exhibition catalogs from the time or study the archives of art academies and artists' societies. The meaning of art is always shaped by the social conditions in which it is produced.