Figuurstudies en paardenhoofden 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made these figure studies and horse heads in pencil on paper. Here, we see the very essence of drawing – a direct translation of thought to paper. The pencil, a humble yet versatile tool, allows Breitner to capture fleeting observations. The texture of the paper itself plays a role, its toothiness influencing the pencil's mark-making. Look at the weight of the lines, varying from the delicate to the bold, creating depth and movement. The process reveals Breitner's engagement with the everyday, his interest in capturing the world around him. Drawings like these are often seen as preliminary, but they hold immense value in understanding an artist's process. They offer a glimpse into the artist's mind, revealing the labor involved in the production process. It challenges the idea that fine art exists on a higher plane.