Spelende kinderen c. 1892 - 1897

"Spelende kinderen," meaning "Playing Children," is a charcoal sketch on paper by Willem Witsen, a Dutch painter and draughtsman, created between 1892 and 1897. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a simple yet evocative portrayal of children playing, captured in an upside-down perspective. The loose, expressive lines of the drawing suggest a moment of playful energy and youthful spontaneity. The use of charcoal adds a sense of immediacy and a hint of the artist's personal observations. This sketch embodies Witsen's interest in capturing the everyday lives of ordinary people.