Daken met schoorstenen 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of rooftops and chimneys with a pencil. The composition is a fascinating study in lines and angles. The lines form a network of geometric shapes that overlap and intersect, creating a sense of depth and complexity. Notice the way Breitner uses line-weight to suggest form and volume, the darker lines give a sense of mass, while the lighter lines fade into the background. The roofs and chimneys are rendered in simplified forms and basic lines, reducing the architectural elements to their most essential components. This simplification invites us to consider the underlying structure of the cityscape, revealing an order beneath the apparent chaos. This artwork engages with modern ideas about space and representation, suggesting a shift away from traditional perspective towards a more abstract and conceptual rendering of the world. The incompleteness of the sketch is not a shortcoming, but an invitation to the viewer to participate in the construction of meaning.