Geiten 1883 - 1885

Editor: So, here we have "Geiten," or "Goats" by George Hendrik Breitner, done between 1883 and 1885. It's a pencil drawing on paper. What strikes me is the almost frantic energy of the lines. What do you see in this piece, particularly given Breitner's usual focus on city life? Curator: You know, it's funny you say "frantic." To me, it's almost the opposite – a kind of quiet observation. I imagine Breitner taking a break from the bustling streets of Amsterdam, finding a moment of calm in these animals. They aren't idealized or romanticized; they're just…goats, captured in a very honest way. Almost like catching glimpses of fleeting thoughts, right? A sort of visual note-taking in the margins of a bigger story. What do you make of the composition, how the goats are placed on the paper? Editor: I see what you mean about the fleeting thoughts! And I guess the composition feels pretty informal, more like sketches in a notebook than a formal study. It's a bit chaotic, maybe reflecting how goats actually behave? But it definitely pulls you into Breitner's process. Curator: Exactly! Breitner wasn’t necessarily trying to create a masterpiece. More like letting his mind wander, and his hand followed. He captures a mood, a sense of place. And there's a vulnerability in that directness, don't you think? So unlike his more staged works of urban life. Editor: Absolutely. Seeing this raw sketch gives me a new appreciation for Breitner’s artistic curiosity. Curator: For me, this sketch serves as a gentle reminder to seek moments of tranquility amid life's chaos. Now that is something valuable!