Oude Schans met Montelbaanstoren en roeiboot c. 1913 - 1914

Editor: This is "Oude Schans met Montelbaanstoren en roeiboot," made around 1913-1914 by Willem Witsen. It's a drawing, using watercolor and ink to depict a cityscape. The reflection of the buildings on the water is really captivating, making the image feel still and peaceful. What stands out to you? Curator: The work compels us to contemplate the interplay between line and wash. Notice how the artist utilizes the varying densities of ink to construct depth, primarily in the rendering of the Montelbaanstoren. Observe, too, how Witsen employs a semiotic reduction: the rower's form in the skiff functions almost as a glyph, a signifying element anchoring the watery expanse. Editor: A glyph, like a symbol? So the small boat adds meaning to the vastness? Curator: Precisely. Moreover, consider the composition’s inherent tension. The verticality of the tower, mirrored in the water, counterbalances the horizontal stretch of the canal. Ask yourself how that push and pull affect your perception of the city itself. Does it feel imposing or serene? Editor: I see what you mean. The tower definitely draws your eye upwards, but the reflection almost grounds the image, preventing it from feeling unbalanced. I guess the city feels like both: strong and peaceful. Thank you, I never thought of those lines adding up to something! Curator: Indeed. By attending to these formal arrangements, we discern how Witsen evokes a specific sensibility regarding time, place and subjective experience.