Stadsgezicht met een kerk, mogelijk de Grote of Johannes de Doperkerk te Wijk bij Duurstede Possibly 1906 - 1909

This drawing, by Willem Witsen, presents a cityscape rendered with stark graphite lines, possibly depicting the Grote or Johannes de Doperkerk in Wijk bij Duurstede. The composition is dominated by dense, dark shading that contrasts with the blank areas of the paper, creating a play of light and shadow that almost obscures the architectural details. The architectural structure is suggested through geometric forms, but the loose, gestural strokes prevent the scene from becoming overly rigid. The contrast between the defined shapes of the buildings and the amorphous shading evokes a sense of transience, as if the city is emerging from or dissolving into the surrounding atmosphere. Witsen's method could be viewed through the lens of structuralist ideas. It challenges the stability of meaning. The drawing serves as a commentary on perception and representation. The sketch destabilizes our expectation of a clear, representational depiction, reminding us that what we see is always a subjective interpretation.