Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 42 c. 1884 - 1891

Editor: Here we have Willem Witsen’s "Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 42," a drawing from around 1884-1891. It's this faded, almost ghost-like image on paper. What stands out to me is how ephemeral it feels. What do you make of it? Curator: It's a fascinating look into the artist’s process. Witsen, operating within the late 19th century art world, likely used sketchbooks for personal exploration, outside of formal exhibition structures. The very title, "Abklatsch," implying a transfer or rubbing, hints at a method of reproduction, something nascent in the rapidly industrializing print culture of the time. How does the impressionistic landscape, albeit faint, tie into the broader movement in terms of accessibility and democratization of art? Editor: So, the reproduction method speaks to making art more accessible? Curator: Precisely. The fact that this "copy" resides in a sketchbook suggests a personal use, perhaps experimenting with techniques to disseminate imagery. But it also begs the question, what was Witsen's intent for it? Was this a study? Or did he have intentions of a public audience in mind, especially considering the Impressionists' shift towards capturing everyday life? Editor: That makes me wonder about the intended audience and whether that changed his approach to the subject. So much to think about! Curator: Exactly! Seeing this humble sketchbook page in the Rijksmuseum forces us to reconsider the artist’s role within the broader cultural landscape. It is not only a window into his technique but prompts us to think about art’s relationship with burgeoning technologies and expanding audiences during that era. Editor: I never would have considered that aspect, but seeing it through the lens of accessibility makes the work so much richer. Thanks!