Figuurstudies 1895

This sketch, made by George Hendrik Breitner, shows a group of figures using graphite on paper. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching techniques to describe the forms of the figures, giving a sense of volume and shadow. Breitner was a painter of modern urban life, and was preoccupied with the working classes. What's interesting here is the speed of the drawing, a kind of notation. Instead of a highly finished painting, we get a record of the artist working. The sketch is the result of the labor and time involved in observing, capturing a fleeting moment, and quickly laying down lines to capture the essence of the scene. Thinking about art in terms of process and labor helps us to understand its value, challenging distinctions between fine art and craft.