Annotaties 1909

This is a page of ‘Annotations’ by George Hendrik Breitner, and it’s made with pen and ink. Imagine the artist, probably in a hurry, using a worn, scratchy nib to jot down fleeting thoughts, ideas, and sketches. You can see the hand, can’t you? The personal, embodied act of drawing. There’s an urgency, a directness. I imagine he didn't pause, didn't belabor any single mark or detail. Look at those quick, thin lines mapping out a structure—maybe scaffolding, or a building under construction. It reminds me of some of Cy Twombly's sketchbooks, the way he would scribble down notes alongside drawings. But it's not precious. This is raw, unfiltered thought. The ink blotch is like a happy accident, a moment of surprise that becomes part of the composition. It reminds us that art-making is not always about control, but about embracing chance and improvisation. And that little note at the top, barely legible…it feels like we're intruding on a private moment, catching a glimpse into Breitner’s creative process. The artist, in conversation with himself.