Reclining Female Nude 1870 - 1923

Willem Witsen’s “Reclining Female Nude” is a drawing on paper with graphite, probably made sometime between 1880 and 1920. The most striking aspect of this work is the grid overlaying the figure. This mechanical aid highlights the drawing as a process, a study, or a work in progress. It also raises questions about the labor involved in its production, and how the artist approached his work, piece by piece. We know Witsen was from a wealthy family, and that he felt conflicted about his privilege. One wonders if his act of imposing a grid was a way to make the work more like labor. The graphite itself allows for great tonal variation, from soft shadows to more pronounced lines. The artist has utilized the material’s inherent qualities of texture and form to model the curves of the reclining figure, capturing the nuanced relationship between light and the body. By emphasizing the materiality and process, Witsen invites us to consider the social context in which art is made, questioning the traditional distinction between fine art and everyday life.