Dorpsgezicht c. 1888s

Willem Witsen created this village scene with a subtle pencil on paper. The immediate impression is one of muted tones and an almost dreamlike atmosphere, achieved through delicate lines and varied shading. The composition is structured by a prominent horizontal axis which could reference a distant treeline or buildings, dividing the paper into distinct zones of sky and land. The sky is rendered with sparse, fleeting marks, lending it an airy quality. In contrast, the lower portion of the landscape is denser, a concentrated area of darker, more assertive pencil strokes which create a sense of depth and texture. The strategic placement of marks and varying degrees of pressure applied to the pencil suggest a concern with capturing the essence of the scene rather than a detailed representation. This interplay between light and shadow, and the balance between the ethereal and the concrete, highlight the drawing's structural organization. The drawing invites us to consider how these elements of form and composition work together to evoke a sense of place.