Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 61 c. 1887 - 1891

This intriguing transfer print was made by Willem Witsen using chalk on paper. The pale, ghostly image is the result of a process called "abklatsch," where a chalk drawing is intentionally transferred onto another surface, creating a delicate, reversed impression. Witsen's choice of this technique is significant. Transfer printing sits at the intersection of drawing and printmaking. Here, the artist isn't striving for the crisp precision of an etching or the reproducibility of lithography. Instead, the appeal lies in the subtle, almost accidental effects created by the transfer, and the texture of the chalk. You can clearly see the marks of the artist's labor, the pressure and movement of his hand, and the gentle imperfections that arise from the nature of the materials. The result is an image that feels both present and fleeting, raising questions about originality and reproduction in art, and reminding us that every artistic choice has a material consequence.