Architectuurstudie, mogelijk van een ophaalbrug 1880 - 1882

This is a quick sketch of a bascule bridge by George Hendrik Breitner, made with graphite on paper. Breitner seems to have captured this architectural study with immediacy, using quick and simple lines. The choice of graphite is important here. It's a readily available material, directly linking the creation of this piece to industrial processes of mining, manufacturing, and distribution. The paper too, reminds us of a long history of production, from wood pulp to a smooth surface ready to receive the artist’s marks. These materials democratize the artistic process, placing it within reach of many, and connecting Breitner’s practice to wider social and economic structures. The study has a raw, unfinished quality, foregrounding the artistic process and the labor involved in producing such images. It blurs the boundaries between high art and everyday craftsmanship, prompting us to think about the value we assign to both.