Annotaties c. 1886 - 1903

This is a page of annotations by George Hendrik Breitner. We can see the artist's handwriting in pencil on a fibrous paper, with lists, notes, and numerical annotations. The material quality of the page, its texture, weight, and inherent absorbency, all would have influenced the artist's mark making, giving these inscriptions their character. The writing is functional and efficient. These notes give us a window into the work of the artist, the mental and physical effort required in developing an artwork. While the production of a painting might be seen as skilled work, the labor of planning and costing the materials, as seen here, is often overlooked. This simple piece of paper pushes the boundaries of what we consider to be art. It challenges the traditional art historical distinction between high art and craft.