Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 23 1874 - 1923

This is a transfer, or ‘Abklatsch’, of a chalk drawing by Willem Witsen. The process of making an abklatsch involves taking a print from a chalk drawing, and is a method that captures the texture of the chalk. The subtle marks on the paper remind us of the hand of the artist. It involves close contact between the paper and the original drawing, and we are invited to consider the way the artist worked. The texture and depth of the chalk, and its physical manipulation, are all important. The artist used traditional materials, but the process itself is interesting in that it is a reproduction, not an original. The transfer process results in a unique image, different from the initial drawing. This piece highlights how production can be part of the creative process. The method and materials speak to a wider culture of art and aesthetics.