Twee lezende kinderen 1865 - 1913

Bramine Hubrecht made this drawing of two children reading, using graphite on paper. The grainy texture of the paper gives the image a softness, as if capturing a fleeting moment. Notice the artist’s hand at work in the subtle gradations of light and shadow, and the way she’s used lines to suggest form, volume, and depth. Hubrecht’s choice of such simple materials emphasizes the everyday nature of the scene. Her technique is unpretentious; the artist's skill lies in the way she’s observed and recorded the world around her, rather than any overt display of virtuosity. The work involved in creating the image wasn't about labor, it was about the act of observation. In its quiet way, this drawing reminds us that the most profound art experiences can be found in the simplest of materials, and the most unassuming of subjects. It transcends the traditional hierarchies of fine art and craft.