Studie, mogelijk van een boot c. 1909

George Hendrik Breitner made this possible study of a boat with graphite on paper. The lines are tentative, as if Breitner is thinking through the structure of the boat as he draws, letting us glimpse the unfolding of his thought process. The paper itself is a pale, creamy color, marked with smudges and soft shadows of graphite. The drawing isn't about capturing a perfect image, it’s about getting a feel for the subject. Look at the circular shape in the boat’s structure, lines loop and overlap. It's not a precise circle, more like a scribble, giving it a dynamic energy, hinting at the movement of the boat on water. Breitner’s quick, exploratory lines remind me of sketches by Van Gogh, who was also interested in capturing the everyday world with raw immediacy. Both artists embrace the unfinished quality of sketches, allowing us to see the world through their eyes, not as a polished product, but as a fluid, evolving experience.