Willem Arnoldus (Willem) Witsen (13 Aug. 1860, Amsterdam - 13 April 1923, Amsterdam); Dutch painter, etcher, photographer and writer, associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. Born into a wealthy ruling-class family, dating back to the governing families of the 17th c., of whom Cornelis Jan Witsen and his son Nicolaes Witsen were members. He studied at academies in Amsterdam and Antwerp. Witsen’s work, influenced by James MacNeill Whistler, often portrayed calm urban landscapes as well as agricultural scenes. He also created portraits and photographs of prominent figures of the Amsterdam art world. (Wikipedia) The painter, engraver, photographer and publicist Willem Witsen was a quiet, almost shy man, inclined towards melancholy. He had many artist friends who he provided with money. His cool reserve hid a nervous sensitivity. He wrote that he suffered from 'moods of deep hopelessness, but I try to find satisfaction in my work.’ He could relax with his friends; was a good chess player and musician; he played cello. His works often concern city stills, like when the fog eats downtown London. His works show us his 'passion of loneliness’, but also show sternness and reserve. People are not in his paintings or only appear as small figures." (http://dutch-and-flemish-painters.tumblr.com/tagged/Willem-Witsen) Willem Witsen made a name for himself as painter, aquarelist and engraver of townscapes. He mastered the art of etching to such a degree of perfection that fellow artists... called on him for help. Witsen tried to capture the essence of the town in his work. As a young man, he was especially fascinated by what he called de groote brokken (the great chunks) in rain, snow, haze and fog. In order to approach his subjects as closely as possible, he even worked in a row boat. Between 1911 and ... 1914, Witsen had a barge at his disposal that had been converted into a studio. http://www.geheugenvannederland.nl/?/en/collecties/willem_witsen/biografie undefined

More on Google