Achterlijf van een koe 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of a cow's hindquarters using graphite on paper. Graphite, essentially pencil lead, is a humble material, yet capable of great expression. Here, Breitner uses it to capture the mass and form of the animal with economical lines. See how the soft, almost smudged application of graphite suggests the texture of the cow's coat. This choice of material is telling; graphite is immediate, allowing for quick studies. It speaks to the working-class nature of the subject matter. Cows, after all, are central to agriculture and dairy production. The sketch is raw, unrefined, yet full of life. Breitner's focus on the everyday, rendered in a readily available medium, democratizes art, bridging the gap between high art and the working world. It reminds us that art can be found in the most unexpected places, using the simplest of means.