Staande vrouw met hoed 1886 - 1898

Editor: This is “Standing Woman with Hat,” a pencil drawing by George Hendrik Breitner, made sometime between 1886 and 1898. It's quite loose, very gestural. I like its immediacy; it feels like a captured moment. What stands out to you when you look at it? Curator: It whispers secrets of the artist's process, doesn't it? Like finding a forgotten diary in a dusty attic. The way Breitner uses line is so economical. He’s not trying to meticulously recreate; he’s evoking a feeling, an impression. That hat, perched jauntily... it tells a story, doesn’t it? Almost a humorous narrative emerges. Do you get that sense of whimsy as well? Editor: Yes, the hat definitely adds character. The sketch feels very informal and private, as if we're peering into Breitner's sketchbook. Curator: Exactly! It's like catching a glimpse of his internal world. Perhaps this was a quick study before a larger work or simply a way for him to explore the essence of his subject. Consider the context – Amsterdam in the late 19th century, a city brimming with life, and Breitner, a keen observer, capturing it all. Don’t you feel drawn into the street scenes from his paintings by extension here, into this character and what she means in this exciting world? Editor: Absolutely. I think seeing a sketch like this makes his finished works even more compelling, as you get an understanding of the foundation for his bigger ideas. Curator: And that, perhaps, is the greatest gift of such an intimate piece. It allows us to walk, for a brief moment, in the artist’s shoes. Thank you for sharing your insights, I learned something about seeing and sharing new perspectives on work, myself.