Twee studies 1886 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made "Twee studies," or Two Studies, using graphite on paper. Breitner lived during a period of rapid urbanization and industrialization in the Netherlands, and he documented the changing cityscape and working-class life of Amsterdam. This drawing gives us a glimpse into the artist's process. Breitner was known for his candid street photography and his paintings often reflected a gritty, realist perspective. The studies here, quick sketches of perhaps architectural details, speak to the artist's engagement with the everyday. They are a record of the artist's observations and a means of exploring form and composition. The rawness of the sketches is also palpable. The use of graphite on graph paper adds a layer of utilitarianism, as though the artist was capturing his ideas in a commonplace notebook. This hints at the accessibility and democratic nature of drawing as a medium. The work allows us to engage with the artist's mindset. It captures the essence of an instant, fleeting observation.