Kameel c. 1883 - 1885

Curator: Here we have George Hendrik Breitner’s pencil sketch, “Kameel,” dating from around 1883 to 1885, held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's startling, isn’t it? The starkness, the way the camel emerges almost brutally from the blank page. A sort of melancholic immediacy. Curator: Breitner was, of course, deeply invested in capturing everyday life, and in works like these, his focus on realism is particularly poignant. Editor: It's realism, but with a real palpable, emotional grit. Look at those hurried, almost violent, pencil strokes. They suggest a struggle, perhaps with the animal itself, or with capturing its very essence on paper. The lines have a raw energy; a refusal to prettify. You can almost feel the artist’s breath quickening. Curator: I think you are absolutely right! This was created when the artist served in the military, during which he was stationed at the cavalry in Amersfoort. His task was to train the horses and, on occasion, camels for military purposes. He often drew the animals, capturing his fascination for them, as seen in other drawings and paintings he created during this time. The experience even influenced his later depictions of horses. Editor: How intriguing! Knowing the back story enhances the whole experience. It lends an almost biographical depth, doesn’t it? Makes you wonder about Breitner’s state of mind during that military stint. Drawing these animals, sketching to life, perhaps an attempt to wrestle beauty from the mundane realities and regulations of military service. It shows that beauty can truly arise from constraint, yes? Curator: Indeed. Art always reflects its environment. Breitner wasn't just depicting a camel. Editor: Exactly. In it, there are the seeds of broader human experience. A sketch can be a gateway to our souls. Curator: Agreed. It prompts one to consider the role of animals within society, whether within circuses, military service or human-animal connection. Editor: Profoundly thought-provoking. And surprisingly moving, for a quick sketch of a camel!