Figuren op Hartjesdag c. 1894 - 1898

George Hendrik Breitner captured these Figures on Hartjesdag in a sketch, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The quick, confident strokes of charcoal sketch a fleeting moment, a raw glimpse into the festival's energy. The composition defies traditional perspective, with figures layered and cropped, challenging our perception of space. Lines intersect and overlap creating a sense of depth that hints at underlying structures of form and representation. The figures emerge from the textured ground of the paper, their forms only partially defined, inviting us to complete the image with our own perceptions. Consider how the form of the drawing invites you to perceive the everyday. The drawing is not just a record of the festival, but also an exploration of how the formal elements of art can shape our understanding. Breitner prompts us to see beyond the surface and to actively engage with the processes of seeing and interpretation.