Man, op de rug gezien Possibly 1883 - 1886

This evocative sketch of a man, seen from the back, was created by George Hendrik Breitner. He used graphite pencil on paper. The rough texture of the paper and the fleeting marks of the graphite are crucial here. Breitner wasn’t after polished realism. Instead, he used the immediacy of drawing to capture a sense of modern life as it unfolded. Notice how the quick, light strokes convey the figure’s form and clothing, focusing on the fall of light and shadow rather than meticulous detail. This direct, almost journalistic approach to artmaking was typical of Breitner, positioning him within a larger social context. His work frequently depicted the working class in Amsterdam. The act of sketching itself becomes a kind of labor, mirroring the lives of those he depicted. Ultimately, "Man, op de rug gezien" reminds us that art isn't just about the subject, but also about the way it's made. The simplest materials, when handled with skill and intention, can tell powerful stories about labor, class, and the modern world.