Studieblad, onder andere met een figuur, een kat en een stadsgezicht 1880 - 1882

This is a sketchbook page, filled with graphite pencil studies by George Hendrik Breitner. The drawings offer us a peek into the artist's mind and process. Pencil, of course, is a humble material, intimately associated with the hand. The very directness of the medium encourages spontaneity. Here, Breitner’s impressions of figures, a cat, and cityscapes seem almost dashed off, perhaps while he was on the move through Amsterdam. Unlike a finished painting, this page is all about exploration, and a mode of thinking through drawing. The texture of the paper also plays a role; its slight graininess catches the graphite, creating a soft, atmospheric effect. Breitner was very interested in capturing everyday life, and this sheet, full of starts and stops, perfectly reflects that interest. It shows how the simplest of means can become a powerful tool for seeing and understanding the world around us.