Stallen met paarden op de plantage Gambar te Java Possibly 1920 - 1924

Willem Witsen made this drawing of stables with horses on the Gambar plantation in Java, using graphite on paper. The texture created by the graphite reveals Witsen's hand at work. The marks are visible on the page, evidence of the artist’s attention to detail, and the material qualities of the graphite itself. The controlled strokes bring a sense of depth and atmosphere to the scene, capturing the light filtering through the trees. Yet, the very subject matter of the drawing asks us to consider the broader socio-economic context. Plantations in Java, like the one depicted here, were sites of colonial exploitation. Drawings like this one can seem innocuous, however, they also bear witness to a system of labor and resource extraction. By paying attention to materials, making, and context, we can better understand the full meaning of artworks like this one, and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.