Studies van een baby 1867 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made these Studies van een baby with graphite on paper. Here, the artist captured the fleeting expressions of a baby in a series of quick sketches. Looking closely, you can see how the graphite delicately renders the soft contours of the child's face. The varying pressure of the pencil creates a sense of depth and volume, bringing the infant's features to life with minimal detail. The immediacy of the medium lends itself to capturing candid moments. The choice of such humble materials invites us to reconsider what constitutes great art. Breitner elevates the act of sketching, traditionally seen as preparatory, to a work of art in its own right. In doing so, he blurs the boundaries between the finished masterpiece and the artist's process, reminding us that true artistry lies not only in the final product but also in the skill and vision of the maker.