Landschap c. 1887 - 1888

Willem Witsen made this sketch, titled "Landschap," using graphite. This work offers a glimpse into the artistic practices of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Netherlands. Witsen, born in 1860, would have been active during a time of significant social and artistic change. The sketch is a quick study of a landscape. These kinds of works were very common at the time. As a historian, I am interested in how images like this reflect broader cultural values. Was Witsen engaging with the rapid industrialization occurring at the time? Was he deliberately invoking traditions of Dutch landscape painting? Delving into the Rijksmuseum archives, exhibition catalogs from the period, and writings by and about Witsen could help us better understand the social and artistic context that shaped this seemingly simple drawing. Only then can we truly appreciate its significance as a cultural artifact.