Paard-en-wagen Possibly 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner captured this quick sketch of a horse and wagon with graphite on paper. The artist employs just a few strokes to give you an idea of the scale of the composition. Graphite pencils such as these are made by grinding graphite and mixing it with clay, which serves as a binder. The higher the ratio of graphite to clay, the softer the pencil and the darker the mark, meaning the artist can create different effects simply through pressure and by choosing a different pencil. This medium has a unique capacity to capture spontaneous impressions. The sketch's texture is rough, created by the dry material of the pencil that lays down graphite particles on the paper, imbuing the artwork with a sense of immediacy. This sketch shows the artist’s skilled hand bringing the scene to life, and demonstrates the importance of close observation in understanding Breitner’s wider artistic vision.