Figuren bij aangespannen paarden 1912 - 1919

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of figures with horses at an unknown date, using what looks like charcoal or graphite on paper. The drawing is super gestural, a series of quick marks that build into a scene. It's like he's trying to capture the feeling of the moment, the energy of the horses, rather than a perfect representation. I love the way the lines vary in thickness and darkness, creating a sense of depth and movement. Check out the horse on the left page. It's just a few lines, but you immediately know what it is. It's all about suggestion and implication, and leaving space for the viewer to fill in the gaps. It reminds me of some of Degas' sketches, where he's just trying to get the essence of a figure or a pose. It's like a visual shorthand, a way of communicating quickly and efficiently. Art is so often a process of paring back, reducing things to their essence.