Studie c. 1902

This quick study was done by George Hendrik Breitner, likely with graphite on paper. I wonder what Breitner was thinking as he made these marks? Is he working something out? Like he’s saying, how can I capture this particular volume, this feeling, with just a few lines? Sometimes, when I start a painting, I make similar marks. I love the vulnerability of a preliminary sketch, as if the artist is saying: here are my first thoughts, my initial feelings. This is like a secret peek into his mind. There is also a confidence and sureness in these marks. It is amazing that just a few lines can communicate so much. Looking at this work makes me want to grab a pencil and start sketching. It reminds me that art is often about process, about exploration, and about capturing a fleeting moment or idea. It’s like Breitner is inviting us to join him in his artistic journey, sharing a moment of creative discovery.