Figuurstudies c. 1886 - 1903

These figure studies were made by George Hendrik Breitner sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, using graphite on paper. The immediacy of the medium lends itself to the quick capture of fleeting moments, which was essential to Breitner's artistic practice. The graphite, applied in rapid strokes, defines form through tonal variations. The texture of the paper catches the graphite, creating a grainy effect that adds depth to the sketch. Breitner’s technique reflects an engagement with the everyday and the transient. He favored scenes of working-class life in Amsterdam. These sketches appear almost journalistic, less about idealized beauty and more about a direct, unvarnished view of life. The figures captured here might be laborers, street vendors, or simply ordinary people going about their day. Ultimately, the beauty of these sketches lies in their unpretentiousness, reminding us that artistic value can be found in the simplest materials and the most ordinary subjects.