Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 32 c. 1887 - 1891

Willem Witsen created this intriguing transfer drawing using chalk on paper. The process here is particularly important, as "abklatsch" literally means "blot" or "impression," referring to a technique of transferring an image from one surface to another. Chalk, a humble material, takes center stage. Its inherent qualities of powdery texture and ease of transfer are essential to the image. Witsen likely created an initial drawing with chalk on a separate surface and then pressed it against this page to create a mirrored, fainter version. The resulting image is delicate and ephemeral, retaining the subtle grain of the paper and the soft, smudged quality of the chalk. This method invites us to consider the labor involved in creating art. It challenges conventional notions of artistic skill, highlighting the creative potential of simple, direct processes. The "mistake" becomes the art. It also forces us to reconsider traditional hierarchies of art, suggesting that a simple, unassuming print can be just as compelling as a meticulously rendered drawing.