Zandlandschap c. 1886 - 1891

Willem Witsen sketched this evocative landscape with graphite, capturing a stark panorama. Dominating the composition is the horizon line, a motif laden with symbolism across cultures. It is a potent metaphor for boundaries, transition, and the unknown. The horizon appears in ancient Egyptian art, often dividing the world of the living from the realm of the dead, underscoring the cyclical nature of existence. Here, the horizon isn't just a line, but a psychological threshold. It invites contemplation, a subconscious draw to the edge of what we know, mirroring the human quest for understanding and transcendence. This dark shape, rendered with expressive strokes, stirs something primal. As viewers, we're drawn into a silent dialogue with the infinite, connecting us to a collective memory of seeking meaning in the vastness of existence. Its appearance evolves, but the core human response remains.