Staande vrouw 1884 - 1886

This is a charcoal drawing of a standing woman, made by George Hendrik Breitner. The drawing seems quite simple, made on paper with soft charcoal. The material lends itself to quick, gestural marks, as you can see in the figure’s loosely defined form. Charcoal, though a traditional art material, has an immediacy that is very different from painting. It's a medium that allows for rapid sketching and capturing fleeting moments. Breitner was known for depicting scenes of everyday life in Amsterdam, and his choice of charcoal reflects this focus. It's less about meticulous detail and more about capturing the essence of a scene or figure. The sketchiness of the drawing also suggests a sense of movement and energy. The woman isn’t perfectly posed or idealized; instead, we see her in a candid, almost photographic way. This approach challenged traditional notions of fine art, blurring the lines between academic study and modern life.