Studieblad met zittende kinderen c. 1884 - 1887

This is "Studieblad met zittende kinderen," made by Willem Witsen using graphite on paper. The image is a quick study of children sitting. Graphite, made from processed and baked carbon, allowed the artist to quickly capture the image, with many erased or unfinished lines showing the artist's process. The lightness of the medium lends itself to sketching. It would have been a relatively inexpensive and widely available material, democratizing the practice of art making. The artist is able to capture everyday life quickly. The work is open and incomplete, a snapshot in time. The paper support is visible, and is as much a part of the work as the graphite itself. The sketch offers insight into the artist's creative process, and prompts us to consider the labor and materials involved in making art. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between finished art and preliminary sketch, elevating the latter to a work of art in its own right.