Abklatsch van de krijttekening op pagina 25 c. 1882 - 1884

Willem Witsen made this transfer of a chalk drawing, sometime before 1923. The process of transfer, called "Abklatsch" in Dutch, involves pressing the original drawing onto another surface to create a reversed copy. Here, you see the subtle textures and tones achieved with chalk, now ghostly and delicate through reproduction. It's a process not unlike printmaking. The pressure and the paper determine the final image. Was this transfer done to preserve the original, or to disseminate it? Was it a means of control, of distribution, or both? Think about the labor involved, not just in the initial drawing, but in the careful act of transferring it. It's easy to overlook the time and skill required for such a seemingly simple task. By focusing on the processes and choices behind the art, we recognize the artist's hand, and the social context embedded within the artwork.