Drie mannenhoofden en een vogel c. 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch titled "Drie mannenhoofden en een vogel" with graphite on paper. This isn't fine art material, but an everyday, cheap material. Paper, made from pulped rags or wood, supports the graphite markings, each a trace of the artist's movement. Look closely and you'll see the directness of the artist's hand. The graphite appears almost effortless, but it is also very intentional. We can see where Breitner has gone over his lines again and again. Notice the textures achieved with simple hatching and shading; these give volume to the faces. This work speaks to the democratizing potential of drawing. Breitner is interested in the quickly captured essence of a moment. This is a record of a specific time and place, a candid snapshot of everyday life. It's this quality, this embrace of the informal and immediate, that elevates the sketch beyond mere draftsmanship.