Portret van een onbekend kind 1870 - 1923

Willem Witsen made this portrait of an unknown child with charcoal on paper. Witsen was a member of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, a group of artists who captured the fleeting moments of everyday life and landscapes in the Netherlands. This delicate sketch is a window into the past. It invites us to consider the fleeting nature of childhood and the ways in which children were perceived and portrayed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The child's gaze seems to hold a mixture of innocence and curiosity. The anonymity of the child allows viewers to project their own emotions and memories onto the image, creating a personal connection that transcends time. During this era, childhood was often idealized. Witsen subtly challenges traditional representations by capturing a sense of individuality and depth in his young subject. The drawing reminds us of the importance of recognizing the humanity and complexity of children.