Drie paarden c. 1886 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this energetic sketch of *Drie paarden* using graphite on paper. Imagine the quickness of his hand! It's all about capturing the essence of these horses with the fewest marks possible. I can feel Breitner sizing up his subject, trying to capture the bulk and presence of these animals without getting bogged down in detail. Each stroke seems to communicate both an understanding of anatomy and a delight in the sheer physicality of drawing. It reminds me of Degas, how he used line to find the form. Maybe Breitner was thinking about movement, about the tension between stillness and action. What I appreciate is how he embraces the sketchiness, letting the energy of the moment infuse the work. I’m inspired!