Studieblad met villa's c. 1873s

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s Studieblad met villa's, a drawing in pen and brown ink, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. The sheet presents a series of architectural sketches that capture the essence of villa designs. Breitner focuses on the structural forms, using brisk and economical lines to define the shapes of buildings and windows. The architectural sketches, scattered across the page, create a fragmented view, challenging traditional notions of perspective and composition. Breitner's concentration on form and structure resonates with the broader artistic concerns of his time. His sketches reflect a desire to break down visual elements into their most basic components. Through line and form, Breitner invites the viewer to consider the intrinsic qualities of architectural design and the interplay between representation and abstraction.