Twee vrouwen c. 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of two women with graphite on paper. The grainy texture of the graphite has an almost photographic quality, capturing a fleeting moment. This work engages with drawing as a fundamental process of observation and mark-making. The artist uses simple lines to capture the postures of his subjects with expressive economy. It's worth thinking about how this type of drawing relates to broader social issues. Breitner made his sketches while living in Amsterdam at a time of great social change and economic disparity. It makes you think about the amount of work that goes into these seemingly simple artistic processes, a constant interaction between observation, hand skill, and the qualities of the material. By considering the materials and processes, we can fully understand an artwork like this, beyond traditional boundaries of fine art and craft.