Stadsgezicht, mogelijk Wijk bij Duurstede Possibly 1906 - 1909

Willem Witsen made this cityscape, possibly of Wijk bij Duurstede, with graphite on paper. It's a quick, confident sketch, made en plein air, capturing a specific moment and place. Look at the marks Witsen makes, the way he uses the side of the graphite for broad shading and the tip for sharper lines. These choices weren't arbitrary. The softness of graphite allows for a range of tonal values, and the paper's texture influences how the graphite is deposited, creating a visual language of light and shadow. Witsen's drawing isn't just a representation, it's a record of his physical interaction with the materials. Consider how the ubiquity of graphite, a relatively inexpensive material, democratized drawing. It allowed artists to experiment and capture fleeting impressions, like this windswept view, blurring the lines between preparatory sketch and finished artwork. Ultimately, the drawing invites us to appreciate the skill and intention behind even the simplest of materials, and challenges us to reconsider the value we place on different forms of artistic labor.