Paarden 1886 - 1923

This sketch, by George Hendrik Breitner, presents an energetic dance of charcoal lines on paper. The subject – horses – is almost secondary to the raw, dynamic strokes that define the composition. Breitner's marks aren't about perfect representation, but rather, they capture the essence of movement and form through abstraction. Look at the chaotic yet controlled application of charcoal; it’s as if the horses are emerging from, or dissolving back into, the very act of drawing itself. The lines intersect and overlap, creating a sense of depth and spatial ambiguity. Consider how this approach challenges traditional artistic values, destabilizing the conventional idea of a 'finished' artwork. Breitner uses the sketch medium as a space for experimentation, a field where the process becomes as important as the subject. It prompts us to question the nature of representation, to see not just horses, but the very act of seeing.