Paard 1893

This is a page from a sketchbook by George Hendrik Breitner, likely dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, rendered in graphite on paper. The grid of the page is visible beneath the heavy marks, and it reminds us that drawing is itself a kind of labor, a structured activity. Breitner worked rapidly, as you can see from the energetic lines and smudged areas. The texture of the paper is also important, lending a toothy quality to the drawing. We can consider the sketchbook itself a crucial tool of modern artistic production. It allowed artists to capture fleeting moments and work out ideas in a portable format. In this way, the book becomes a repository of potential, ready to be activated in the studio later on. It's a direct record of Breitner's perception, a glimpse into his working process. Recognizing the value of these everyday materials allows us to connect with the artist's experience and understand his working methods, challenging the traditional hierarchy between finished works and preparatory studies.