Pleister-masker 1867 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner created this artwork, "Pleister-masker," using graphite. The drawing captures a plaster cast of a face, a common tool in art education. Breitner’s choice of graphite, a relatively inexpensive and accessible material, reflects his interest in capturing everyday subjects and experiences. The soft, grainy texture of the graphite lends itself well to rendering the smooth, matte surface of the plaster. Notice how Breitner uses subtle gradations of tone to create a sense of volume and depth, bringing the static cast to life. But this wasn’t just a technical exercise. Breitner was deeply engaged with the social realities of his time, and the plaster cast itself speaks to the history of both classical sculpture and industrial reproduction. By focusing on this mass-produced object, Breitner blurs the line between high art and the everyday, inviting us to consider the value and meaning we assign to different kinds of images. Ultimately, Breitner challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the layers of meaning embedded in the materials and processes of artmaking.