Gezicht in Amsterdam met wolkenlucht c. 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner captured this view in Amsterdam with a humble material: graphite on paper. The softness of graphite allows for quick, expressive marks, perfectly suited to capturing the fleeting quality of light and atmosphere. Notice how Breitner uses broad, gestural strokes to suggest the mass of buildings and the movement of clouds. The sketch is very raw, unrefined, even unfinished. The choice of graphite emphasizes immediacy, as if Breitner were jotting down a visual note. It's a far cry from the highly finished paintings that were typically exhibited at the time. In a way, the sketch democratizes the artistic process. It suggests that art-making is not just about the final product, but also about the act of seeing and recording. This piece offers a glimpse into the artist's process, a moment of observation. By embracing the directness of graphite, Breitner invites us to appreciate the beauty of the everyday and the skill in capturing it.