Man in een mantel of cape c. 1885

This is George Hendrik Breitner's drawing of a "Man in a Cloak or Cape" from the Rijksmuseum collection. Notice how the artist used lines, shading and texture to create an atmosphere of somber reflection. The composition is dominated by the figure's large form, which almost merges with the dark background, drawing our attention to the cape. Breitner has employed hatching and cross-hatching to define the contours of the man's cape, thereby creating a remarkable sense of volume and mass. See how the diagonal lines evoke movement and dynamism. The loose, gestural strokes around the figure suggest a world of transience and flux. Ultimately, the drawing exemplifies a structural interplay between concealment and revelation. The cape serves not only as a garment but also as a metaphor for the hidden aspects of human existence.