Gondel in het Canal Grande te Venetië 1914

Willem Witsen made this drawing of a Gondola in Venice, probably in situ, with what looks like a graphite pencil on paper. The paper is almost bursting with energy as Witsen worked quickly to capture a fleeting moment. You can almost hear the sounds of Venice, the gentle lapping of the water, the chatter of people, the creaking of the gondola. I can imagine him balancing on the boat, trying to capture that movement. Look at the marks, the light and dark contrasts that create depth and volume. The water is so present; you can almost feel its coolness on a hot Venetian day. I find myself drawn to the scribbled lines indicating the reflections in the water. They remind me of Cy Twombly's gestural marks. Witsen's drawing feels intimate, like a personal diary entry. It’s a testament to the power of simple materials to capture the essence of a place and a moment in time. It reminds us that art is not just about the finished product, but also about the process of seeing, feeling, and recording the world around us.