Studie c. 1883 - 1885

This is a charcoal drawing by George Hendrik Breitner, whose images of Amsterdam at the turn of the last century are well known. Charcoal is such a basic medium – just burnt wood, really. Yet it has tremendous expressive potential. You can see here how Breitner uses it to capture the dynamism of the modern city. Look how he uses broad, gestural strokes to suggest movement and energy. The blurred lines and smudged shadows create a sense of immediacy, as if we're right there on the busy streets. In its own way, this drawing reflects the industrialized world around it. Mass production has made materials like paper and charcoal affordable and readily available. And while Breitner was a highly trained artist, the sketch-like quality of this work democratizes art-making, suggesting that anyone can pick up a piece of charcoal and capture their own impressions of the world. It reminds us that the act of creation is within reach, regardless of social status.