Annotaties 1893

George Hendrik Breitner made this page of annotations using graphite on paper; a straightforward combination of accessible materials. The qualities of these are deceptively simple. The paper bears the marks of its own making, retaining the texture and tone of the pulp and process from which it was created. The graphite, applied with varying pressure, leaves a range of greys that catch the light. You could say that the page performs like a printing plate, but one of an exceptionally informal kind. Breitner was engaging with the working methods of his time, which involved a huge amount of paper flowing through the culture. So, in a way, these notes also speak to the role of the artist in the process of production. They are not industrial materials, but neither are they especially precious. Rather, they are the very stuff of modern life. Ultimately, this work reminds us to recognize the artistry, labor, and social context embedded in even the humblest of materials and creative acts.