Abklatsch van een krijttekening c. 1888s

Here, we see a transfer of a chalk drawing by Willem Witsen. Witsen, born into an affluent family in Amsterdam, was deeply embedded in artistic and literary circles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although the exact subject is difficult to discern due to the transfer technique, Witsen often depicted quiet scenes of Amsterdam. The hazy quality evokes a sense of nostalgia, aligning with the broader cultural sentiments of the time which saw rapid urbanization transforming the familiar world. His work provides a glimpse into a society grappling with modernity while also yearning for the past. This piece, with its ethereal and somewhat ghostly presence, captures the transient nature of memory. It invites us to consider how we preserve and interpret the remnants of our shared histories and personal experiences.