Annotaties 1892 - 1900

This page of annotations at the Rijksmuseum was created by George Hendrik Breitner, using graphite pencil on paper. The parallel lines, pre-printed to facilitate neat handwriting, are a testament to industrial advancements and standardized production, making paper more accessible for everyday use, including artistic notes. The graphite itself, a naturally occurring mineral, would have been processed and encased in wood – a readily available, relatively inexpensive material. The marks, light and dark, reflect the artist's hand movements, the pressure applied, and the texture of the paper. The casualness and immediacy of handwriting are apparent. There's an intimacy in these private notations, a glimpse into the artist’s thoughts, made all the more poignant by the use of such commonplace materials, elevating the ordinary to a level of artistic interest. It reminds us that value lies not only in the inherent worth of materials but in the intention and meaning imbued by the artist through their handling.