Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 3 c. 1897 - 1900

This work is a chalk drawing, by Willem Witsen, made around the turn of the 20th century. Witsen was a member of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, known for capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life. This piece, whose title translates to "Rubbing of the Chalk Drawing on Page 3", has a ghostly quality. What we see is a faint transfer of an earlier drawing, like a memory fading over time. The soft, blurred lines evoke a sense of nostalgia, reflecting the cultural milieu of the late 19th century, which saw rapid industrialization and urbanization. Artists like Witsen were often drawn to quiet, intimate scenes as a counterpoint to the changing world around them. The drawing's ethereal quality invites us to reflect on the ephemeral nature of existence and the power of art to capture fleeting moments. It is a personal and deeply felt reflection on memory, loss, and the passage of time.