Twee bomen 1870 - 1923

Willem Witsen made this sketch, ‘Two Trees,’ using black chalk on paper. Witsen came from a wealthy family, but chose a bohemian life in the art world of late 19th-century Amsterdam. He was part of a group of artists known as the Amsterdam Impressionists, who sought to capture the atmosphere and feeling of the city and its surroundings. Witsen's world was shaped by the rigid social structures and expectations of his time, particularly concerning class and masculinity. As a man of privilege, Witsen had to reconcile his position with his artistic ambitions and his empathy for the working class. In this sketch, the starkness of the trees may reflect the artist’s somber moods, exploring themes of isolation and the emotional states that arise from observing the world around him. Witsen uses a traditional subject to explore personal experience. The sketch invites us to consider how the natural world can mirror our inner lives and societal structures.