Landschap met molen aan de horizon c. 1885

Willem Witsen created this small etching titled "Landschap met molen aan de horizon," or "Landscape with a Mill on the Horizon," using ink on paper. The composition divides into two distinct horizontal registers; the lower register presents a textured expanse of land, articulated through dense, gestural strokes, that meets the horizon line where structures create a division between the land and sky. Above, the sky is rendered with minimal yet suggestive marks to communicate both light and movement. Witsen's printmaking technique serves not only to depict a scene but also to engage with broader artistic questions about representation and perception. The graphic style and stark contrast between the foreground and the skyline invite a dialogue between traditional landscape and modern artistic exploration. As you observe Witsen’s handling of line and form, consider how this landscape opens up conversations about art's capacity to mirror as well as interpret the physical world.