Twee studies van een figuur op een sleperswagen 1898 - 1902

George Hendrik Breitner made these sketches of a figure on a hauling cart with graphite on paper. It’s a simple combination of materials, used in an exploratory way, nothing fancy. Consider the stark contrast between the refined world of fine art and the gritty reality Breitner captures. The hauling cart, a tool of labor and transport, becomes the focal point. It is a stage for human activity, a mundane object elevated through the artist's gaze. The artist isn't just depicting a scene; they are documenting the labor and lives of working people. This is evident in the raw, unpolished quality of the drawing, the quick lines, and the focus on the working class. Breitner seems to be less interested in technical perfection and more in the essence of the moment. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting us to recognize artistic value in the everyday.