Landschap, mogelijk met water 1880 - 1882

This landscape drawing, possibly with water, was created by George Hendrik Breitner using graphite on paper. The medium allows for a remarkable range of tonal variation through mark-making, from the faintest whisper of line to dense, dark areas of shading. The sketch is built up through layers of hatching, cross-hatching, and smudging; techniques typically practiced by artists. Notice how Breitner used these techniques to define forms and create depth within the composition, and to achieve the atmospheric effects of light and shadow. The visible strokes add to the sketch's immediacy, hinting at the artist's working process, and highlighting the transition from observation to artistic expression. What is seen here is the result of a specific manual process. It underscores the value of drawing as a means of direct engagement with the environment. Appreciating the skill and artistry involved in making this sketch moves us beyond traditional notions of ‘high’ art and into the realm of skilled practice and visual exploration.