Twee kostuumstudies 1898 - 1902

Editor: Here we have "Two Costume Studies" by George Hendrik Breitner, sketched between 1898 and 1902. It’s a pencil drawing on paper, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. They're really simple, almost gestural sketches of what look like sleeves, and they're on lined paper. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: The immediate thing is the intimacy of the sketchbook format itself. It reveals so much about Breitner's working process and the everyday nature of artistic labor. It pushes us to consider not just the final product, but the means of production. Why do these quick sketches, made using inexpensive paper and pencil, deserve our attention? Editor: I see what you mean! We tend to focus on finished paintings, not preliminary sketches. Curator: Exactly! Think about the role of drawing at the time, and its relationship to other mediums, like painting or even photography, which Breitner also used. How do these sketches inform, or challenge, our understanding of "high art?" What kind of labor does it represent? Editor: That's fascinating. It really blurs the line between preparation and…art? And thinking about labor...it makes you wonder about the accessibility of art creation, even then. Did using accessible materials democratize art in a way? Curator: That’s a fantastic point! Consider how the accessibility of materials influences who gets to create and whose work gets valued. The apparent disposability of a sketchbook challenges the idea of art as a precious commodity, don't you think? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. I was so focused on the sketchiness, but considering the materials in relation to labor and value really changes my perspective. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely! By analyzing the materials and process, we gain a deeper understanding of Breitner’s practice and the broader social context in which he worked.