Twee wandelende vrouwen 1896

Here in the Rijksmuseum we have "Two Walking Women," a pencil drawing by George Hendrik Breitner. These figures, rendered with swift, assured strokes, are draped in the fashions of their time, encapsulating the ethos of the era. The very act of walking takes on symbolic weight, evoking the ancient motif of the "wandering soul." Think of the processionals in Renaissance art, the figures in transit, mirroring life's journey. Over time this motif has reappeared across art history, reflecting humanity's continuous striving for knowledge and experience. This motif may be interpreted through the psychoanalytic lens as the embodiment of the human psyche's inherent desire to explore and challenge, and therefore evolve. Breitner captures this yearning on a subconscious level, subtly engaging with our deepest selves as the figures' forward momentum reflects the human inclination toward progress. The drawing's somber tones evoke a melancholic atmosphere, mirroring the subconscious human emotions tied to our ever-changing existence. Ultimately, this drawing serves as a reminder of how motifs evolve and resurface across epochs, mirroring our shared history and the enduring characteristics of the human experience.