Paardenbeen 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner sketched ‘Paardenbeen’ with a graphite pencil on paper. The horse's leg, emerging from a shadowy form, is rendered with swift strokes. The horse, a longstanding symbol of power and vitality, has galloped through art history since the Lascaux cave paintings. This sketch echoes the tradition of equestrian portraiture, yet divests it of regal grandeur. Consider the rearing horses in Delacroix's works – their dynamism speaks of freedom and raw power. Here, the fragment of the leg suggests not triumph, but perhaps a more intimate, vulnerable connection between man and animal. The act of isolating a single element is telling; it’s as if Breitner seeks to capture the very essence of the animal's strength. This minimalistic representation creates a psychological space where the viewer can project their own understanding and emotional connection with the subject. As such, the symbol of the horse evolves, carrying new, intimate meanings across eras.