Twee kinderhoofden c. 1882

Here is George Hendrik Breitner’s sketch, made most likely with graphite on paper. At first glance, you're confronted with two faint, ghostly faces that emerge from the textured page. The upper one bolder, stares out with a certain solemnity, its features more defined, while the lower one is only partially visible as if fading. The sketchiness suggests a process of formation, rather than a finished piece. It destabilizes traditional portraiture, inviting us to look beyond mere representation. Breitner challenges the idea of a fixed subject. The superimposition of faces could reflect a proto-Surrealist interest in the subconscious, with layered identities blurring the lines between reality and perception. Note the paper's texture, and how Breitner uses it to create depth and shadow. This isn't just a drawing of two children, but an exploration of form and the very act of seeing. It leaves us questioning the nature of identity, memory, and representation itself.