Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 56 c. 1886

This transfer drawing was created by Willem Witsen, using chalk and paper. The offset technique, or “Abklatsch” in Dutch, involves transferring an image from one surface to another, in this case from the original chalk drawing onto a fresh sheet of paper. The ethereal quality of the image is directly linked to this process. Chalk, with its inherent softness, easily releases pigment, and the act of transfer captures not just the lines but also the subtle textures and gradients of the original. The resulting image is a ghostly echo, a reversed and slightly blurred version of the initial drawing, with the material qualities speaking to impermanence and reproduction. The 'Abklatsch' method also speaks to broader issues of labor, production, and accessibility. In the 19th century, transfer techniques were used commercially, allowing for the efficient reproduction of images and texts. Witsen's engagement with this method perhaps reflects an interest in democratizing art, making images more accessible to a wider audience through the means of mechanical reproduction. It is a reminder that every artistic choice carries social and economic implications.