Architectuurstudie 1906 - 1907

This "Architectuurstudie" was made by Willem Witsen, though we don't know exactly when, probably with graphite or charcoal on paper. Look at the economy of line, how few marks are made! The beauty here is in the suggestion. It's like Witsen is asking, "Can you see it? Can you imagine it?" The paper is almost empty, but those sparse lines speak volumes. There's this dark little cluster of scribbles, bottom right, and it's like he's built a whole world out of that. Maybe he's thinking of Whistler, who also made studies and sketches. I'm always wondering, is it finished? Or is it a work in progress? For me, like life, it's both. It's a beginning and an end, all at once.