Annotaties 1914

Willem Witsen made this sheet of annotations with graphite on paper. It’s so delicate, almost like a whisper of an idea. The graphite is applied with varying pressure, creating a range of light and dark tones, which is kinda how I think about building up layers in my own work. The surface has this beautiful, aged quality, with subtle stains and imperfections that tell a story of time and handling. Look at the tear running down the right side; it’s like a geological fault line! There's this tension between the ephemeral nature of the graphite marks and the enduring presence of the paper itself. The handwritten notes add another layer of intimacy, like we're peering into the artist's private thoughts. This piece reminds me a little of Cy Twombly's drawings, where the act of writing and mark-making becomes a form of poetic expression. It's a good reminder that art doesn't always have to shout; sometimes, the quietest gestures can be the most profound.