Het IJ, bij avond 1867 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner’s 'Het IJ, bij avond' is made using graphite on paper; humble materials deployed to capture an industrial waterfront. Note how the artist creates the scene with layered smudges and lines. See the repetitive strokes in the sky, and their horizontal counterpart upon the surface of the water? The effect isn't highly polished. It's rough, urgent, and very evocative of a modern, working harbor. Breitner was a master of capturing the fleeting impressions of everyday life, and his choice of graphite underscores this. It’s a medium suited to quick sketches, preliminary studies, and on-the-spot observations. Graphite, unlike oil paint, is immediate, accessible, and portable – perfect for an artist documenting the rapidly changing urban landscape of Amsterdam. In focusing on the material qualities of 'Het IJ, bij avond', we see how the artwork transcends traditional distinctions, blurring the lines between fine art and the gritty reality of industrial life.