Gevecht tussen het Franse en het Duitse leger bij Villiers 1872 - 1879

This sketch of a battle scene was created by George Hendrik Breitner using graphite on paper. The inherent qualities of graphite – its softness and ability to create a range of tonal values – lend themselves well to capturing the dynamic, chaotic energy of combat. The rapid, expressive lines suggest the fleeting nature of the scene, as if Breitner were trying to capture a moment in real-time. The artist’s chosen process – sketching – is critical. It reflects a desire to record events with immediacy, rather than creating a polished, idealized representation. In this context, drawing becomes an act of witnessing, deeply intertwined with the social and political realities of the time. The work involved in creating such a piece, though seemingly simple, is substantial when considering the skill required to distill such a complex scene into its essential elements. It serves as a reminder that even the most unassuming materials can carry profound meaning when placed in the hands of a skilled artist.