Liggende vrouw c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this pencil drawing, 'Liggende Vrouw', in the Netherlands at the turn of the 20th century. It depicts a reclining woman, rendered with loose, suggestive lines rather than precise detail. The Rijksmuseum, where this work resides, plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of Dutch art history. It is through institutions such as these, that we come to understand the canon of art. Witsen, through his choice of subject and style, was contributing to a larger discourse about the human figure in art, one that was shifting away from academic precision toward more subjective and modern interpretations of form. To fully understand this work, one might delve into the artist's biography, examining his relationships with other artists and writers of the time, as well as the broader social and cultural currents that influenced his artistic vision. Art history is not just about the artwork itself, but also about the rich and complex web of connections that surround it.