Studie c. 1882 - 1884

This subtle pencil drawing is entitled "Studie" and was created by Willem Witsen, a Dutch artist who lived from 1860 to 1923. Witsen was part of a group known as the Amsterdam Impressionists, who captured the fleeting moments of everyday life through their art. The drawing appears to be a preliminary study, a glimpse into the artist's process. It is a scene of quiet industry, perhaps drawn along one of Amsterdam's canals, capturing a moment in time. The artist’s delicate strokes invite you to imagine the scene and consider how the labor and lives of ordinary people shaped the identity and character of Amsterdam during Witsen's time. Witsen's "Studie" reminds us of the beauty found in the everyday, and the value of seeing the world through an empathetic, and perhaps even critical, eye.