Landweg c. 1887 - 1888

Willem Witsen made this drawing called Landweg, or Country Road, using graphite on paper. The sketch is rooted in the visual culture of the Netherlands. Consider its open skies and waterways. The depiction of nature was very popular during this time in Dutch art, and this drawing is no exception. Witsen was part of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, in which artists captured fleeting moments and evoked atmosphere, and the sketch captures an unremarkable view with an eye for light and shade. What’s interesting here is how this movement engaged with the art establishment. Witsen and his colleagues reacted against the rigid academic style of the art academies, and this drawing, with its unidealized subject and loose, rapid strokes, reflects that spirit. The Amsterdam Impressionists founded their own artist societies and exhibition spaces. So when we look at this drawing, it’s worth remembering the artist’s role in reshaping the Dutch art world. To understand Witsen’s art more fully, we might consult exhibition catalogues and archival documents related to these artists’ groups. The meaning of art lies in understanding its social and institutional context.