Studie, mogelijk van gebouwen aan het water c. 1886 - 1923

This is a drawing of buildings on water by George Hendrik Breitner, probably made with charcoal or graphite. It’s all about mark-making and the push-pull between light and dark, and the interesting thing is how Breitner's process reveals itself. The material aspects of this work are key. Look at the texture – rough and sketchy, like he was trying to capture a fleeting impression. The color is just shades of gray, but that makes it more about the shapes and lines. See how the strokes build up to create depth, and the way some lines are thick and bold, while others are thin and wispy? Check out that little bird, a quick 'v' of a mark. It's a tiny gesture, but it adds so much life to the scene. Breitner’s work reminds me a little of James McNeill Whistler, another artist who was all about capturing atmosphere and mood. But where Whistler was all about subtle nuances, Breitner is more raw and direct. And that’s what makes his work so powerful!