Twee vrouwenbustes c. 1912

George Hendrik Breitner made this pencil drawing of two women's busts, probably in the late 19th century. The women emerge through the lightest of touches. It looks like Breitner was working fast, trying to capture a likeness, an expression, maybe even a fleeting emotion. I sympathize with Breitner here, trying to capture a likeness with just a few lines, the most economical marks. The woman at the top is looking up, almost surprised, her mouth slightly open. I wonder what he said to her? What they were talking about? The woman below is more demure, her gaze cast downward, maybe shy, maybe lost in thought. The artist's hand is so evident in this work. You can almost feel the graphite on the paper, the pressure and release of the pencil. There's a beautiful simplicity and directness to it. It reminds me that all artists are always looking, observing, and trying to capture something of the world around them.