Deur met een raam 1883 - 1885

This sketch of a windowed door was made by George Hendrik Breitner, using pencil on paper. The apparent simplicity of the drawing belies the thought process that went into it. Look closely, and you'll see the confidence of the hand, the economy of the lines. Breitner isn't just recording what he sees; he's distilling the essence of the built environment down to its most fundamental elements. The choice of pencil on paper is telling. It's a humble medium, accessible and immediate, allowing for quick studies and explorations of form. Yet, in the hands of a skilled artist, it can be incredibly expressive, capturing subtle nuances of light and shadow. Think of the countless hours of practice it took for Breitner to develop such mastery over this simple tool. The drawing prompts us to reconsider the value we place on finished artworks versus the preparatory work that underlies them. It's a reminder that the creative process is just as important, if not more so, than the final product. By elevating the humble sketch to the level of art, Breitner challenges traditional hierarchies and invites us to appreciate the beauty of simplicity and the skill of the hand.