Man, in profiel c. 1886 - 1898

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch, "Man, in Profile," using graphite on paper. The composition, dominated by a profile outlined with spare lines, establishes a stark contrast between the depicted figure and the void of the blank page. The subject, represented with a few carefully placed strokes, hints at the essence of a human presence. The interplay of light and shadow, suggested by the varying pressure of the graphite, adds depth and volume to the figure. The artist seems less interested in capturing a likeness than in exploring the basic elements of form and representation. This minimalist approach invites us to consider the structuralist idea that meaning is derived from the relationships within a system. Here, the figure exists as part of the binary opposition between presence and absence. Breitner’s sketch destabilizes traditional portraiture by reducing it to its bare essentials.