Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 15 c. 1887 - 1892

This is a transfer of a chalk drawing made by Willem Witsen, held at the Rijksmuseum. The pale, ghostly image bears witness to the artist's process. By pressing the original chalk drawing onto another surface, Witsen captured a fleeting impression. This reproductive technique, known as a counter-proof, yields a mirror image of the original, softened and subtly altered. Chalk, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material, lends itself to quick sketches and studies. In this case, the choice of material and process speaks to a sense of immediacy and experimentation. The resulting image is not a finished work, but rather a trace of a creative act. The transfer process itself, involving direct contact and physical pressure, creates a unique texture and distribution of pigment. The chalk adheres unevenly to the receiving surface, resulting in a delicate, almost ethereal quality. This challenges traditional notions of artistic skill and emphasizes the role of chance and material interaction in the creative process.