Gezicht op de Oude Haven te Rotterdam, gezien vanaf een brug over de Maas 1884 - 1886

This is George Hendrik Breitner's sketch of the Oude Haven in Rotterdam, likely made directly in a sketchbook. Observe how Breitner uses the raw quality of graphite to capture the essence of the port. The composition is split across two pages; on the left, quick, scribbled lines define the distant shore, while the right page is dominated by vertical strokes suggesting the masts of ships and the structures of the harbor. The sketch isn’t about detailed representation but captures a sense of place, a fleeting moment of urban life. Breitner was interested in the transient effects of light and atmosphere, a concern he shares with the Impressionists, though his style remains distinctly his own. Note how Breitner uses line to suggest depth and volume, leaving much of the scene undefined, inviting the viewer to participate in constructing the image. This sketch reminds us that art is as much about suggestion as it is about depiction, engaging us in a visual dialogue.