Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 57 c. 1884 - 1887

This is a transfer of a chalk drawing by Willem Witsen, dating from around the turn of the 20th century. Rather than a definitive image, it’s more like a trace, a fleeting record of an action. The method used to create this artwork profoundly influences its appearance. Chalk is a friable material, meaning that it is easily crumbled or reduced to powder. When pressed against a surface, it leaves behind a delicate residue. This piece therefore embodies a sense of immediacy and transience. The process of transferring the chalk drawing onto paper further enhances these qualities, leaving a somewhat blurred image. The labor involved in the production process is minimal; it privileges the initial artistic gesture, capturing its essence with minimal intervention. Ultimately, what we are seeing is less a finished artwork than a fleeting moment of artistic expression, preserved through simple means. The piece invites us to consider the value of ephemeral gestures and the beauty found in the process of creation.