Figuren en gezadelde paarden c. 1889 - 1904

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch of figures and saddled horses using graphite on paper. Here, we see how the artist takes a commonplace material - graphite - and employs it to capture fleeting moments of everyday life. The inherent qualities of graphite, its soft, almost greasy texture, allows Breitner to create a range of tones and textures with quick, economical lines. These marks capture the essence of the figures and horses with a sense of immediacy. The material and the method in which it has been applied, lends itself to the sense of capturing a fleeting moment, as if glimpsed from a window, or on a quick walk through the city. By focusing on the everyday and using modest materials, Breitner challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. He elevates the mundane to a subject worthy of artistic attention, showing us the value in the ordinary. This reminds us that the true essence of art lies not in expensive materials or complicated techniques, but in the artist's ability to see and share the beauty in the world around us.