Oog c. 1887 - 1891

This is Willem Witsen’s drawing, "Oog", held at the Rijksmuseum. In this drawing, the single eye, rendered with stark graphite lines, immediately captures our attention, not just for what it is, but where it is placed on the page. The vast expanse of empty space surrounding the eye directs the viewer's gaze intensely towards the object. Its location in the corner of the page raises interesting questions about perception and framing. The eye, a symbol of observation, becomes an object observed, challenging traditional notions of perspective and subjectivity. The composition destabilizes the conventional relationship between figure and ground. The blank space, far from being passive, actively shapes our reading of the eye, turning it into a focal point of contemplation. "Oog" compels us to consider how simple forms within a carefully structured space can lead to complex reflections on seeing and being seen.