Studieblad 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, using graphite on paper, sometime between 1875 and 1923. You can see the artist's process right on the page. This isn’t a finished drawing, but rather a study, a way of working through ideas. Breitner was interested in capturing the energy of modern life, and sketches like this allowed him to do that quickly. Notice the economy of line. He is less interested in describing every detail than in capturing the essence of a figure. The speed and immediacy with which the artist captured everyday scenes stands in contrast to older academic methods of painting, in which preparatory sketches were not meant for public display. Breitner’s technique democratized art, bringing it closer to the messy reality of the industrial age. By valuing these works on paper, we move beyond traditional notions of ‘high art’ and embrace the beauty of the everyday.