Dak van het pand Krom Boomssloot 69 in Amsterdam before 1909

Editor: So, this is Willem Witsen’s "Dak van het pand Krom Boomssloot 69 in Amsterdam," made before 1909. It's a drawing in pencil and pen on toned paper, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It looks like a quick sketch, a glimpse of a rooftop. What catches your eye about it? Curator: The inherent qualities of the drawing underscore a deliberate play between form and function. Observe the confident, almost nonchalant, linework, rendered with both pencil and pen. Note the varying weights of these lines, creating a dynamic contrast on the toned paper. It suggests an attempt to capture the essence of architectural space. Editor: So you are saying that this isn't so much about the actual rooftop in Amsterdam as it is about how the artist has used lines to create space and depth? Curator: Precisely. While the cityscape motif is evident, the emphasis lies more in the manipulation of visual elements. The seemingly incomplete or "sketchy" nature is not a flaw but a conscious decision. Witsen masterfully allows the medium – the lines themselves – to define and construct the form. The eye is drawn to the structural framework, not necessarily the ornamentation or any social context of the depicted roof. Do you see how the texture of the paper also plays a role in this effect? Editor: Now that you mention it, I see how the toned paper helps soften the strong lines of the pen, almost as if it provides another layer to the composition itself. Curator: Indeed. And it’s in the synthesis of these choices - the lines, the paper, the very act of sketching – that we find meaning. The drawing transcends a mere representation; it becomes an exploration of artistic form. Editor: I initially thought it was just a simple sketch, but seeing it through a formalist lens helps me appreciate the artistry in the structure. Thanks for the fresh perspective. Curator: A rewarding shift in understanding.