Gezicht op Wijk bij Duurstede met de molen Rijn en Lek Possibly 1906 - 1909

Willem Witsen rendered this sketch of Wijk bij Duurstede with graphite on paper. The artist used thin, dark lines to create this landscape, which allowed for an interesting perspective from a low vantage point. The marks on the paper have an ephemeral quality. The use of graphite, a readily available material, is a deliberate choice. It allowed Witsen to quickly capture the scene, while also emphasizing its transience. The town of Wijk bij Duurstede and the Rijn en Lek windmill are shown in the background as these structures almost fade into the clouds. The visible marks on the page showcase the artist's skilled hand. These are not the precious materials or painstaking techniques of a formal portrait, but something quite different. By considering the process, materiality and the social context of this work, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance, moving beyond traditional notions of fine art.