Studie, mogelijk van daken 1893 - 1899

This is a pencil drawing by George Hendrik Breitner, titled 'Studie, mogelijk van daken,’ which roughly translates as ‘Study, possibly of roofs.’ Though simple, it's a wonderful example of how the very act of drawing can be a form of thinking. The thin graphite lines, quickly applied, capture a sense of urban rooftops. Pencil on paper, it's a humble pairing of materials. But consider the working-class context of Breitner’s subject matter – these are the roofs of everyday life, not grand architectural statements. The immediacy of the sketch reflects the artist's direct engagement with the environment. It’s a fleeting moment, caught with a few strokes. We can almost feel the briskness of the air as he worked, quickly noting down the scene. Breitner's choice of such an unassuming subject reflects a broader interest in the realities of urban life and the experience of labor, elevating it through the simple but powerful act of close observation.