Studie, mogelijk van een steven bij een meerpaal c. 1909

George Hendrik Breitner made this study, possibly of the bow of a boat by a mooring post, with pencil on paper. Looking at it, I feel like I can see the artist’s hand moving quickly, trying to capture the essence of the subject with just a few lines. I can imagine Breitner standing by the water, squinting in the sun, trying to distill what he sees into its most basic forms. The pencil marks are light and sketchy, almost like a whisper on the page. See how he uses hatching to create a sense of depth and shadow? The lines seem to vibrate with energy, capturing the feeling of movement and light on the water. It’s interesting how Breitner leaves so much unsaid in this sketch. It’s not a finished painting, but rather a moment of exploration and discovery. The sketch feels so intimate, as though we’re peering into the artist’s mind. It reminds me that art is not just about the final product, but about the process of seeing and feeling the world around us.