Annotaties c. 1884 - 1887

This is Willem Witsen's "Annotations," an intriguing piece held at the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands. At first glance, it may appear to be a simple page filled with numbers. However, it invites us to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production. Witsen was active in a time when artists were pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. What we see here is likely a preparatory sketch or study, perhaps related to a larger project, or a record of his expenses, though the social meaning of these records has yet to be explored. The act of annotating, numbering, and organizing information reflects the increasing emphasis on rationalization and documentation that was emerging in institutions at the time. As historians, we delve into archives, letters, and institutional records to uncover the social context in which art is made. "Annotations" serves as a reminder that art is not created in a vacuum, but is deeply intertwined with its own cultural context.