Interieur van een schaapskooi c. 1884 - 1887

Editor: Here we have Willem Witsen's "Interior of a Sheepfold," a charcoal drawing from around 1884 to 1887. It's currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. The sketch-like quality gives it a rather haunting feeling. What do you see in this piece, particularly beyond just a barn interior? Curator: The darkness itself is significant. Consider the symbolic weight of shadows – they often represent the unknown, the hidden aspects of ourselves and our world. Look at how the sheep, or what we can assume are sheep given the title, are barely suggested forms, almost spectral. It speaks to a world unseen, the quiet, persistent life that continues beyond our immediate perception. What does that obscured quality evoke in you? Editor: It does create a sense of mystery and quiet observation, as though Witsen isn't intruding so much as witnessing something private. The minimal light makes everything feel softer and more introspective, not as straightforward as a typical realist piece. Curator: Precisely! Think about the use of charcoal – a medium of both creation and destruction, formed by burning. In what ways might fire and smoke become part of its narrative power? Editor: That's really interesting! Charcoal’s ephemerality is really echoed here with that sense of obscurity, things are present but smudged away, hidden. This really reframes my thinking around the artwork. Thanks. Curator: Indeed! This reminds us of the ephemeral quality of memory itself, how it lingers and fades. Thank you for your careful insights!