Abklatsch van een krijttekening c. 1884 - 1887

This work, ‘Abklatsch van een krijttekening’, was made by Willem Witsen, and resides in the Rijksmuseum. The title tells us about the method used to produce it: ‘Abklatsch’ refers to a printing technique, in which a chalk drawing is transferred onto another surface. Consider how this process, a kind of industrial reproduction, changes the very nature of drawing. The smudged and blurred lines, usually seen as a flaw, become the very essence of the work. The ‘Abklatsch’ technique mirrors the era’s fascination with mass production, reflecting a shift from unique, hand-crafted artworks to mechanically reproduced images. It questions the preciousness associated with original drawings, and engages with a wider social context of reproducibility. By drawing our attention to the materials, processes, and social context, we can break down traditional boundaries between fine art and craft and achieve a complete understanding of the work’s significance.