Architectuurstudie c. 1896 - 1899

Curator: Right now, we're looking at a piece by Willem Witsen titled "Architectuurstudie," created around 1896-1899. It's a pencil drawing, currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It feels incredibly sparse, doesn't it? Like a half-remembered dream of buildings. Three simple shapes, barely there on the page. It’s strangely haunting. Curator: The looseness speaks to its nature as a study, a preliminary sketch. Witsen often focused on landscapes and cityscapes, capturing the atmosphere of Amsterdam. This would have likely been part of a larger project. These architectural studies, of which many are drawings, let artists experiment with form before the final composition. Editor: I like how unassuming it is. No grand pronouncements, just these shy, tentative lines. It's like catching the artist thinking, seeing the bare bones of an idea taking shape. Curator: Absolutely. Think of the role that architecture played at this time – the development and restructuring of Amsterdam had a real impact on social structures. The fleeting impression that Witsen renders may allude to something more lasting. The city was experiencing rapid change. And such documentation contributes to broader understanding of a shared cultural past. Editor: It makes you wonder what was ultimately built from this… Was it ever fully realized? And there’s something to be said for a kind of resistance to making something polished or perfect. There’s real truth to be found in leaving something raw like this. Curator: I agree that the raw qualities of the piece lend a sincerity that we may not have gotten otherwise. Well, I do love to muse about what exists outside the frame… Editor: Indeed! This reminds us to slow down, observe the unseen corners, appreciate the half-formed ideas. Who knows, maybe we can see those unfinished cities reflected in ourselves too.