Handkar 1881 - 1883

This is a graphite sketch of a 'Handkar' by George Hendrik Breitner, housed at the Rijksmuseum. The handcart, a humble vehicle of labor, is depicted here with quick, searching lines, yet it evokes something far more profound. Consider the wheel—a circle representing the cyclical nature of life, endlessly turning through history. From ancient sun symbols to the wheels of fortune, the wheel carries echoes of eternity. Breitner captures a moment in the everyday, yet he touches upon something timeless. The cart, designed for bearing burdens, mirrors our own human capacity to carry the weight of existence. Across cultures, similar vehicles appear, each time acting as a vessel for life's necessities, and becoming a potent symbol of human endeavor. This simple sketch invites us to ponder the ceaseless cycle of labor, and the enduring spirit of humanity.