Achterlijf van een dier c. 1900 - 1901

This is a pencil drawing, "Achterlijf van een dier," by George Hendrik Breitner, housed at the Rijksmuseum. The sketch presents the hindquarters of an animal, likely a horse, with a focus on its anatomical structure and subtle dynamism, a symbol in painting. It's evocative of power, and vitality, common in equine art throughout history. These themes echo classical equestrian sculptures, where the horse symbolizes nobility and strength, traits often associated with their riders. Think of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, where the horse is both a symbol of imperial power and a testament to classical artistic ideals. The drawing's emotional power lies in its ability to convey a sense of vitality and dynamism with minimal strokes. This image transcends its immediate context, connecting to the enduring human fascination with animals. These images continue to evolve in meaning, yet retain a link to our primal understanding of the natural world.