Gezicht op de National Gallery te Londen 1888 - 1891

Willem Witsen sketched ‘Gezicht op de National Gallery te Londen,’ or ‘View of the National Gallery in London,’ sometime between 1880 and 1923, using graphite. Witsen belonged to a group of Dutch artists known as the Amsterdam Impressionists, who were interested in capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life. This sketch of the National Gallery in London invites us to consider the politics of representation inherent in cultural institutions. As a Dutch artist depicting a British landmark, Witsen engages in a dialogue about national identity and cultural exchange. The sketch itself, with its raw, unfinished quality, challenges the traditional, idealized representations often associated with national monuments. It’s almost as if Witsen is asking us to look beyond the grand facade and question what these institutions represent and who they serve. Consider the personal dimension, Witsen's impressionistic style captures a moment in time, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences of encountering cultural landmarks and how they shape our understanding of history, art and identity.