Paarden voor een wagen 1888

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of horses pulling a wagon with graphite on paper. Looking closely, you'll notice the sketchiness and the seemingly unfinished quality of the drawing, which is actually quite deliberate. Breitner was interested in capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life, and the immediacy of graphite allowed him to do just that. See how the shading and lines are less precise and more about capturing the light and movement of the scene? The choice of graphite is also significant because it mirrors the gritty reality of urban life. Graphite, as a material, is raw and unrefined, much like the working-class subjects. Here, the materiality of the drawing, the texture and weight of the graphite on paper, emphasize the social and cultural context of the artwork. By focusing on the materials and making of "Paarden voor een wagen," we can appreciate the artistry and social commentary that Breitner infused into this seemingly simple drawing, while also challenging traditional notions of what constitutes fine art.