Figuurstudies en een koeienkop 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, Figuurstudies en een koeienkop, likely around the turn of the 20th century. Breitner lived during a time of intense social change in the Netherlands, with rapid urbanization and industrialization transforming the landscape and daily lives of its citizens. This drawing offers an intimate glimpse into Breitner's artistic process. The study of figures and a cow's head on a single page speaks to the artist's engagement with both the human and animal worlds. It’s also suggestive of the relationship between humans and animals, and the ways in which they are often positioned in relation to one another. Breitner seems interested in the animal's form, its weight and mass. Breitner's work often focused on the everyday lives of ordinary people, capturing the energy and grit of the city. While this sketch may seem simple, it reflects a broader interest in portraying the world as it is, without romanticism or idealization. It reminds us of the importance of looking closely at the world around us.