Brug over een gracht in Amsterdam, mogelijk de Krom Boomssloot 1898 - 1902

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch of a bridge over a canal in Amsterdam, possibly the Krom Boomssloot, using graphite on paper. The soft, grainy quality of the graphite allows for a range of tonal values, from the dark, dense lines defining the architectural structure, to the hazy, atmospheric rendering of the building opposite the canal. The texture of the paper adds another layer to the drawing, its slight toothiness visible beneath the graphite marks. The lines of the notebook page peek through Breitner's marks, reminding us of the everyday, portable nature of this work. Graphite, made from processed carbon, is a material that encourages quick, fluid mark-making, perfectly suited to capturing a fleeting urban scene. The sketch is an intimate record of Breitner's encounter with the built environment, a moment of observation translated into a tangible form. Breitner’s choice of simple materials and his direct approach highlights the beauty of the everyday.