Vrouw met kind 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of a woman and child with pencil on paper. The composition is immediately striking for its incompleteness. Breitner's sketch captures a fleeting moment, focusing on the essential forms of the figures. The lines are sparse and energetic, creating a sense of movement and immediacy. We see the overall structure of the woman holding a child in her arms. The loose handling of the pencil emphasizes the tonal contrasts between the figures and the background, heightening the emotional impact. The sketch serves as a study in form and expression. In the context of Breitner's broader artistic practice, which often explored urban life and the everyday experiences of ordinary people, this sketch offers a more intimate glimpse into human connection and emotion. Notice how Breitner uses line and form to suggest rather than define, inviting the viewer to participate in the act of creation. The incompleteness of the sketch becomes a powerful means of expression.