Soldaten, mogelijk te paard 1887 - 1891

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, possibly of soldiers on horseback, using graphite on paper. The initial impression is one of rapid execution, capturing movement and form with minimal lines. Notice how the artist uses a sparse network of lines to suggest figures and horses. Breitner’s sketch employs what we might call a semiotic shorthand. Each stroke functions as a signifier, pointing to a more complex reality. The sketch does not offer a detailed representation but rather evokes the idea of soldiers. This approach challenges traditional artistic values, where precision and detail were once paramount. Breitner, instead, seems more interested in capturing the fleeting essence of the scene, a concern that aligns with the broader modernist project of deconstructing established modes of representation. Consider how these fragmented forms reflect a larger cultural shift, questioning fixed meanings and embracing new ways of seeing. The sketch is not merely a depiction of soldiers, but a sign of changing artistic and philosophical values.