Raam 1870 - 1923

Willem Witsen made this pencil drawing, titled 'Raam,' which translates to 'Window' in English, sometime during his career. Witsen was part of a group of Dutch artists known as the Amsterdam Impressionists. They sought to capture the fleeting moments of everyday life. Witsen's privileged background provided him with the resources to dedicate himself to art. But more than that it gave him access to networks of influence that were largely closed off to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The window in this drawing, serves as a metaphor for Witsen's own perspective. Like many of the impressionists he only captured what he saw. The sketch is simple, and invites reflection on the act of seeing itself. What do we choose to focus on when we look out into the world? What remains unseen or overlooked? It's a personal and intimate glimpse into Witsen's world. It reflects both the beauty and the constraints of his particular vantage point in society.