Barges in the IJ with the three Towers (Schuiten in 't IJ met de drie torens)
Soft ground etching with aquatint printed in colors, circa 1910-11, de Groot 150 C-II, Boon 152, van Wisselingh 474; edition 55 plus proofs. 15 3/4 x 13 in. Signed and inscribed in pencil, "proefdruk." This is a superb impression of this very rare print. The margins are full and the paper has a slighly yellow tint which enhances the overall effects. (The paper bears a VAN GELDER ZONEN watermark.) The condition is excellent apart from a wrinkle in the lower left margin. Witsen produced only three color prints all published by E.J. van Wisselingh. (In their catalogue they title this print as "Turfschepen III" or "Peat Boats III".) The towers at the right background are those of the Basilica of Saint Nicolas on the Prins Hendrikkade. The letters in the title, "IJ," refer to the Amsterdam waterfront. This harbor leads out to the North Sea.
$5,000

Damrak I
Etching and aquatint, 1905-06, De Groot 118 (vi/VI), Boon 112, van Wisselingh 444; edition about 95 plus 20 artists proofs. 15 3/4 x 19 5/8 in. Signed in pencil, lower right, and numbered in pencil, lower left. Here we have a rich, moody, atmospheric impression which is so typical of Witsen's work. (His paintings, too, tend to be somewhat somber.) The paper is a heavy laid without a watermark. The margins are full and the condition is fine. Witsen did four views of Damrak during this 1905-06 period. Today the Damrak is a partially filled in canal between Centraal Station and Dam Square.
$1,800

Halvemaansteeg (Amsterdam)
Etching and aquatint, 1907-09, De Groot 127, van Wisselingh 453; edition probably 100. 15 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. Signed in pencil, lower right. This is a fine, atmospheric impression. The margins are somewhat narrow and there's a small, skillfully repaired tear in the upper right corner margin not affecting the image. Witsen specialized in these compelling, beautifully rendered views of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities. His work was popular at the time and his publisher was E.J. van Wisselingh & Co., Amsterdam. Witsen was also a gifted painter and photographer.
$1,400

Voorstraatshaven III (Dordrecht)
Etching and aquatint, circa 1900, De Groot 94b, van Wisselingh 420; edition probably 100. 11 x 12 1/4 in. Signed and numbered in pencil. This is a superb impression with full margins. The condition is excellent. This is the published state. This Piranesi-like view depicts the Visbrug (The Fish Bridge) and it's one of several creative views of Dordrecht etched by Witsen.
$1,400