Landschap met een boot in het water Possibly 1883 - 1885

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of a boat in the water using graphite on paper. Here, the artist isn't striving for a finished work, but instead is using humble materials to capture a fleeting impression. The tooth of the paper, combined with the soft graphite, creates a range of tones. Notice how the density of marks defines the form of the boat, while looser hatching suggests the surrounding landscape. Graphite, in its essence, is a material of industry, used in pencils for everyday writing and technical drawing. It allows for quick studies and preparatory sketches, and in the hand of a skilled artist like Breitner, it can be a powerful tool for capturing the essence of a scene. By focusing on the materials and process, we can appreciate how this simple sketch embodies the artist's vision and connects to broader themes of labor and observation.