Trampaarden Kist en Wida 1893

This charcoal sketch of horses, titled Trampaarden Kist en Wida, was made by George Hendrik Breitner. The image shows a quick study, with charcoal dragged across paper to capture fleeting moments. You can see the artist's interest in the social context of labor: these are working animals, their bodies rendered with broad strokes, conveying weight and movement. The texture of the charcoal creates a tonal depth. The softness of the material allows for easy blending and shading, while the pressure applied dictates the darkness of the lines. The choice of charcoal and paper speaks to the artist's engagement with immediacy and the everyday. Unlike oil paints or bronze, these materials are inexpensive and accessible. Breitner's focus on working-class subjects, combined with his choice of humble materials, challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and the realities of daily life. Through material and making, Breitner elevated the ordinary, revealing the beauty and dignity of labor.