Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 5 c. 1884 - 1891

This intriguing chalk drawing, made by Willem Witsen, presents a figure shrouded in what seems to be mist or shadow. The dominant symbol here is the obscuring of form, a visual representation of secrecy or the unknown. Consider how similar motifs appear in Renaissance art, where veiled figures often symbolize hidden truths or allegorical concepts. This act of concealing, whether through shadow or drapery, recurs throughout art history, each time adapting to new cultural and psychological contexts. We can think of the veiled Isis, whose secrets were sought, yet remained elusive. The psychological weight of this image lies in its ambiguity. Our minds, seeking patterns, are left unsettled by the undefined. It's as though a half-forgotten memory stirs within us, a primeval sense of something just beyond our grasp. Like a recurring dream, this motif of obscured forms persists, revealing our enduring fascination with the hidden aspects of existence. It's a testament to the cyclical nature of symbols, resurfacing to provoke thought and emotion across generations.