Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 80 c. 1884 - 1887

This is a transfer or ‘Abklatsch’ of a chalk drawing by Willem Witsen. He lived between 1860 and 1923. The technique involves taking a chalk drawing and pressing another sheet of paper against it to create a mirrored impression. The resulting print carries the marks of its making. The pressure applied in the transfer process leaves a delicate, somewhat blurred image, a ghostly echo of the original drawing. This method allowed for subtle variations and unique textures, distinct from traditional drawing or printmaking. It’s a technique that values the incidental and the ephemeral. Witsen was deeply engaged with the industrializing world around him. He chose a process that mirrors the era’s fascination with reproduction, yet retains a handcrafted feel. By emphasizing the physical act of transfer, Witsen elevates the often-overlooked processes of replication to an art form. It encourages us to appreciate the nuances of making, and the complex relationship between labor, materials, and artistic expression.