Paard met tuig 1909

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of a harnessed horse with graphite on paper. There's something really beautiful about a drawing where you can see the artist thinking. Breitner's marks here feel so economical, so certain. Look at the way he's captured the weight of the harness with just a few lines, the form of the horse suggested rather than described. It’s like he's saying, "Here's the essence, the rest is up to you." The surface of the paper peeks through, becoming part of the image. This isn't about illusionism; it’s about the dance between the artist, the subject, and the materials. It reminds me of Degas, another artist who knew how to make a line sing. Both artists share an interest in capturing the fleeting moments of modern life, the beauty in the everyday. It's a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about asking the right questions.