Portret van Dante 1867 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this portrait of Dante, although we don't know exactly when, using graphite on paper. These are traditional materials, of course; the paper a product of industry, the graphite pencil a surprisingly refined technology. Here, the paper’s texture subtly influences the artwork's appearance. Notice how the graphite is not uniformly smooth, but broken up by the paper’s tooth, creating a delicate, almost atmospheric effect. The very act of drawing, layering graphite onto paper, allowed Breitner to capture Dante’s likeness, and the inherent qualities of graphite allowed for the depiction of shadows and form. Consider the labor involved in creating this work; the skilled hand movements required to control the graphite, and the artist’s vision guiding the process. The drawing can be appreciated both for its artistic merit, and for the craft involved in its creation. The focus on materials, making, and context allows for a fuller understanding of the artwork's meaning, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.