Artwork
Knee joint
Knee joint is a drawing by J Wetselaar-Whittaker. It dates from 1955 and is held in the collection of the Leiden University Libraries.
About this work
Overview
Knee Joint, executed in 1955 by J. Wetselaar‑Whittaker, is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work is a monochrome drawing that records a human knee wrapped in a piece of cloth, rendered in a concise, observational manner.
Subject & Meaning
The composition isolates a single anatomical element—a knee—concealed beneath a loosely draped fabric. By focusing on this ordinary, everyday object, the drawing invites contemplation of the relationship between the human body and the material that covers it, emphasizing form over narrative.
Technique & Style
Wetselaar‑Whittaker employs rapid, sketch‑like strokes to suggest the texture of the cloth, using light hatching to convey folds and shadow. The underlying knee is indicated with minimal lines, creating a contrast between the soft, gestural treatment of the fabric and the more restrained outline of the anatomy.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑1950s, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its presence in an ethnographic context reflects the institution’s interest in visual studies of the human body and material culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist made precise studies of the body—drawings and sculptures that cut straight to the bones, muscles, and tissues.
