Zittende figuur en twee neuzen 1886 - 1898

Curator: Today we’re looking at "Zittende figuur en twee neuzen" – that translates to 'Seated Figure and Two Noses' – a pencil drawing made by George Hendrik Breitner sometime between 1886 and 1898. Editor: My immediate reaction is that this feels very intimate, like a quick, private sketch capturing a fleeting moment. The lines are so economical. Curator: Precisely. Breitner was known for his Impressionistic style and capturing everyday life. This drawing, while simple, showcases that ability to convey form and movement with minimal detail. Observe the varying line weights: thick contours defining the figure and lighter, almost ghost-like lines suggesting the facial features. Editor: And those two floating noses! Is that a study, or are they purely abstract elements contributing to the overall composition? Given Breitner’s documented use of photography, might this even be studies of photos, sketched? Curator: It is challenging to say definitively what they mean, but certainly the sketch is evidence of an artist at work, rapidly fixing thoughts in a visual form. In terms of medium and formal choice it may very well be evidence of photographic work. We know Breitner employed photography to a very considerable degree during his figuration studies. The way he’s rendered the figure suggests a candid snapshot of someone unaware they’re being observed. This adds to the drawing's feeling of spontaneity. Editor: And considering the period, late 19th century, we’re at a fascinating juncture in how the art world considered ‘realism’ and ‘representation’. Sketches like these provide crucial insight into artistic practice and the value afforded them, in contrast with salon painting and traditional art institutions. Curator: Indeed. This drawing might be a quick preparatory sketch, a discarded idea or an exploration. Yet it serves now as a potent document of Breitner's working method and reflects broader cultural and artistic shifts. The piece really rewards repeated, closer looking. Editor: Absolutely, it shifts between feeling ephemeral and surprisingly solid depending on your focus. I now see this work less as something preliminary and more as a statement regarding artistic process itself.