Gezicht in Londen 1888 - 1891

Willem Witsen made this drawing of a London street using graphite on paper. Looking at the marks, you can almost feel the artist at work, the pressure of the graphite stick on the page. See how Witsen uses hatching and cross-hatching to build up tone and shadow, creating depth in the scene? The texture of the paper itself plays a role, its slight toothiness catching the graphite and adding to the overall sense of depth. In choosing such a humble medium, Witsen sets up an interesting dynamic. He elevates a commonplace scene through close observation and skillful technique, but never loses touch with the everyday quality of graphite itself. This piece is also a reminder that art doesn't always require elaborate materials or processes. Sometimes, the simplest tools can be used to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us.