Oude vrouw 1883 - 1885

This charcoal drawing of an old woman was made by George Hendrik Breitner, probably in Amsterdam. Charcoal is a humble material – just burnt wood, really – but in the hands of a skilled artist, it can be incredibly expressive. Here, Breitner uses it to capture a fleeting impression. The strokes are quick and gestural, giving a sense of immediacy. You can almost see the artist's hand moving across the page, rapidly capturing the essence of the figure before him. The texture of the charcoal creates a soft, velvety effect, adding depth and volume to the drawing. Breitner was known for his depictions of everyday life in Amsterdam, and there’s something very real and unposed about this old woman. This is not a grand portrait, but an intimate glimpse into the life of an ordinary person. It invites us to consider the value of work, and the importance of seeing beauty in the mundane.