Twee landschappen met paard-en-wagens c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen, a prominent Dutch artist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, created this pencil sketch, “Twee landschappen met paard-en-wagens,” (Two Landscapes with Horse-Drawn Carts) sometime between 1884 and 1887. The work, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a simple yet evocative depiction of two rural scenes. The top sketch shows a horse-drawn cart traversing a country lane, while the bottom sketch depicts a pair of carts parked in a clearing, their horses standing patiently. Witsen’s work is often characterized by its focus on everyday life in the Dutch countryside, and this sketch reflects that interest in capturing the quiet beauty of rural scenes. Witsen utilized charcoal and pencil to capture the stark, yet still serene landscape.