Studie, mogelijk van hoofddeksels 1887 - 1891

Curator: Looking at this piece, “Studie, mogelijk van hoofddeksels,” or "Study, possibly of headgear", made by George Hendrik Breitner sometime between 1887 and 1891, currently held at the Rijksmuseum, my initial thought is 'sparse.' There's so little there. What strikes you? Editor: My attention is immediately drawn to the paper itself. Look at its texture and subtle staining. The visible production marks on the right edge suggest a material reality that exceeds its artistic value as "high art". Breitner, known for his urban scenes, seems here more preoccupied with the materiality of drawing. Curator: Interesting point. I was leaning toward seeing this as preparatory, a sketch. Breitner often documented the realities of Amsterdam through photography and painting, and drawings such as this could be a precursor to a more finished piece, maybe portraits reflecting a specific social milieu. Editor: Perhaps. But I would also suggest this 'fragmentary' piece, made using readily available pencil and paper, is of value in and of itself. Notice the tentative lines; there is a sensitivity toward materiality that goes beyond simply rendering an object. Breitner may well have seen a profound connection between art-making and labour here, perhaps unconsciously. Curator: That is definitely a compelling way of looking at it, prompting questions around Breitner's artistic practices and his positioning within late 19th-century art world politics. Was this intended for the public gaze or destined to remain a private study? The institutional framing in a museum undoubtedly alters our perception and invests it with new meaning. Editor: Exactly. Even the ambiguous title, “possibly of headgear,” redirects our focus towards the art-making process. This may then have involved examining everyday life but also about deconstructing the very act of representation and valorizing simple tools and material culture as worthy subjects. Curator: I am intrigued; it truly gives another layer to his artistry beyond just his paintings and photography work and challenges the notion of high art being something above process. Editor: Absolutely, looking at the world through this piece gave new value to production within culture, questioning our established hierarchies, even regarding "sketches".