Staande vrouw 1887 - 1891

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch, "Standing Woman," using graphite on paper. It's a quick study, a fleeting impression captured with minimal strokes. The inherent quality of graphite lies in its ability to create subtle gradations of tone, from the faintest whisper to dense, dark lines. Breitner's rapid marks emphasize the work's incompleteness. This aligns with the broader social context of artistic production at the time, as artists were looking for more direct, personal, and less time-consuming modes of expression. The ease and speed of graphite allowed for experimentation. It allowed Breitner to engage with the urban landscape and everyday life, capturing it on paper without the labor-intensive processes of more traditional media like painting. Looking at this piece, we can appreciate how the choice of materials and the speed of making are integral to understanding its meaning. It's a testament to the power of simplicity, challenging us to look beyond the finished product and consider the artistic process itself.