Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 25 Possibly 1906 - 1909

Willem Witsen made this chalk drawing sometime between 1880 and 1920. It shows some trees in a Dutch landscape. It’s a copy, “Abklatsch” in Dutch, of a drawing on the other page of the sketchbook. Witsen belonged to a group of Dutch artists called the Amsterdam Impressionists. They reacted against the official art establishment, drawing inspiration from the French Impressionists, but with a more somber, local tone. This drawing exemplifies this, depicting a common scene, a typically Dutch view. The image hints at the social conditions shaping artistic production. The Dutch art world was going through a period of modernization, with artists seeking new ways to represent their surroundings. This drawing, with its muted tones and emphasis on the everyday, can be seen as a reflection of this shift. Understanding this art requires research into the art world of the time. By delving into historical sources, we can better appreciate how art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.