Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 17 c. 1887 - 1892

This chalk drawing, made by Willem Witsen, compels us to delve into the symbolic essence of its apparent emptiness. At first glance, the drawing presents itself as an abstract field of gray tones, seemingly devoid of representational symbols. Yet, is it truly empty? Or is it pregnant with latent meanings, waiting to be unveiled? Consider the concept of the "void" as a powerful symbol across cultures. In Eastern philosophies, the void represents potentiality, the source from which all forms emerge. Similarly, in Western alchemical traditions, the "prima materia"—the formless substance from which all matter is created—resonates with this drawing's ambiguous nature. Perhaps Witsen invites us to confront our own projections, mirroring our subconscious onto the canvas. Like the Rorschach test, this drawing may serve as a screen upon which we project our innermost thoughts and emotions. It is a cyclical progression, reminding us that symbols never truly disappear; they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.