Figuur, mogelijk bij een boerderij of schuur 1884 - 1886

This graphite drawing, titled 'Figuur, mogelijk bij een boerderij of schuur,' is by George Hendrik Breitner and is currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The sketch shows an impression of form and structure, with dark shading adding depth. The composition is dominated by crisscrossing lines, which create a sense of spatial ambiguity. Breitner's use of line and shading isn’t simply descriptive; it attempts to capture the essence of the scene, rather than its precise visual details. The stark contrast between the dark shading and the bare paper heightens the expressive quality of the work. It allows the viewer to experience a raw, emotional response to the subject, filtered through Breitner's artistic vision. The drawing challenges our notions of what constitutes a finished artwork. Breitner uses the most basic artistic elements to destabilize the conventional ideas, and engage with alternative ways of thinking about representation. The sketch becomes a site for the ongoing interpretation of space, form, and human presence.