Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 35 c. 1882 - 1884

This print in the Rijksmuseum by Willem Witsen is called 'Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 35'. The German term 'Abklatsch' refers to a mirror image that results from pressing a freshly made print against another surface. This ghostly impression gives us a sense of Witsen's working methods and the social circles in which he moved. Born in Amsterdam in 1860 to a wealthy family, he was part of a group of Dutch artists and intellectuals known as the 'Tachtigers' or 'Movement of Eighty'. They rejected the conservative artistic norms of the time, advocating for a more individualistic and sensory approach. Witsen’s work often depicted Amsterdam, capturing the city's atmosphere and mood. By examining letters, diaries, and exhibition reviews, we can understand how Witsen and his contemporaries challenged the established art institutions and paved the way for future generations of artists. The meaning of art is always reliant on social and institutional context.