Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 53 c. 1884 - 1887

This is a transfer drawing, or ‘Abklatsch’, by Willem Witsen, made at an unknown date, that resides at the Rijksmuseum. An ‘Abklatsch’ involves transferring an image from one surface to another, resulting in a ghostly, reversed impression. Witsen was a member of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, a group that challenged the conservative art establishment in the Netherlands during the late 19th century. They rejected the rigid academic style of the time in favour of depicting everyday life, often focusing on the urban landscape of Amsterdam. Witsen and his contemporaries founded the St. Lucas artists' association, and the Nederlandsche Etsclub to circumvent the traditional art institutions and create a more inclusive artistic community. By investigating the Amsterdam Impressionists, the Dutch art market, and the programmes of the museums which exhibited their works, one can start to appreciate how art both reflects and shapes society.