Strijdende soldaten in de branding, deels in boten 1872 - 1879

Editor: This pencil drawing, titled "Strijdende soldaten in de branding, deels in boten" or "Fighting soldiers in the surf, partly in boats," was created by George Hendrik Breitner sometime between 1872 and 1879. It looks chaotic and quite grim. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: Immediately, the way Breitner captures the chaos of battle is compelling. It begs the question, what specific historical event, or type of event, was Breitner responding to? Were these images meant to glorify war, or to critique the impact of militarization on the Dutch national identity during this period? Consider the relatively late date – between 1872 and 1879 – what kind of wars marked Dutch society then? Editor: That’s a really good point! I hadn’t thought about the specific wars of that time. I guess I just assumed any historical battle. It does seem important to consider whether the work takes a specific position on those wars. How does its status as a pencil drawing versus a painting change things, do you think? Curator: That's a crucial question. Breitner's choice of pencil suggests this may be a study, an exploration of form and movement. But what if it's a deliberate act? A refusal to glorify war through the grandiosity of painting? Consider how Realism, as a movement, sought to depict the unvarnished truth. Could Breitner be using the medium to make a statement about the realities of conflict, the cost of nationalistic pursuits? Where is the focus in this work, do you think? Editor: Hmm… there isn’t a clear focus, actually. The eye kind of wanders around the paper… given everything, it seems to point to critique! I initially just saw a battle scene. Curator: Exactly! And that lack of focus can be read as intentional. It throws into question any heroism and foregrounds confusion. Thinking about art as social commentary completely reframes the way one might view an image of battle! Thanks for making me rethink my own perspective! Editor: Absolutely! Thanks so much for shedding some light!