Liggend schaap c. 1884 - 1887

Curator: This is "Liggend schaap," or "Reclining Sheep," a pencil drawing on paper by Willem Witsen, likely created between 1884 and 1887. It now resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: The drawing feels so simple, almost stark. The sheep occupies only a small portion of the page, and the shading around it gives the impression of depth. I wonder what paper and pencil Witsen selected to make it? Curator: Considering Witsen was a member of the Amsterdam Impressionist movement, known for their commitment to representing everyday life, the sheep might be a symbol of pastoral simplicity. Sheep often stand for gentleness, innocence, but also vulnerability, themes very present at the time. Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. I see a more straightforward connection to material conditions. Sheep were crucial to the Dutch economy, providing wool and meat. A study like this may reflect the practical realities of agricultural life and the working animal, depicted without idealization, really rooted to its daily grind. Curator: Perhaps both interpretations hold weight. It is after all an era where artists looked to capture fleeting moments. It does lack detail beyond the sheep's form, making the empty space more about suggesting a feeling than rendering reality. It suggests this contemplative existence; even the texture suggests a thick woolen coat! Editor: And yet the quick, repetitive strokes also read as the artist’s labor. Think about the time Witsen dedicated, his own physical engagement, and what that might tell us about valuing that subject. We should maybe be also curious what became of the drawing; whether he chose to preserve it for his own learning. Curator: That's fascinating, considering the role of drawing itself. In this case it appears almost like a journal entry: quick, effective. Editor: Right, but also potentially the start of a chain of economic activity depending upon whether this drawing was made just as a formal exploration or possibly a point of production. A lot depends on Witsen’s perspective, which has unfortunately faded away. Curator: It gives one pause doesn't it. Editor: Indeed, a simple subject rendering with such nuanced meaning for both the viewer and its creator.