Figuren, mogelijk in een tent of kraam c. 1886 - 1890

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of figures in a tent or stall with graphite on paper. Graphite, essentially pencil lead, is a humble material, yet capable of a wide range of expression. Here, the artist uses it to quickly capture a scene, likely observed in passing. You can see the immediacy in the strokes, the pressure of the artist's hand varying to create different tones and textures. Breitner wasn't interested in perfecting the image, but in fixing an impression. The figures, though indistinct, are rendered with a few economical strokes. The rapid strokes give us a real sense of place, as well as the pace of modern life. It’s a world away from the highly finished oil paintings on display elsewhere in this museum, but for that reason all the more compelling as a record of artistic process. It allows us to see how an artist used simple materials to convey a sense of everyday life.