Hoofd 1886 - 1903

This is George Hendrik Breitner's sketch, made with a graphite pencil on paper. Here, a human head is rendered with simple lines and shading. The subject's gaze is directed towards the upper-left corner of the composition, near a window or doorway. Breitner masterfully employs the technique of suggestion, allowing the viewer's mind to complete the image. The swift, confident strokes capture the essence of the subject, focusing on form. The use of chiaroscuro, with light and shadow, enhances the three-dimensionality of the head, drawing the eye to the focal point. The composition is minimalist, yet evokes a sense of depth and space, reminiscent of impressionistic principles, where capturing fleeting moments and impressions were prioritized. The overall effect is one of immediacy and intimacy.