Bomen 1881 - 1883

Editor: So this drawing is called "Bomen," which is "Trees" in Dutch, created by George Hendrik Breitner between 1881 and 1883. It's a pencil drawing on paper housed at the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as incredibly delicate, almost fragile. What do you see when you look at this work? Curator: The apparent simplicity of materials – pencil on paper – belies the complex socio-economic realities that informed Breitner’s practice. Consider the availability and cost of art supplies at this time. Who had access to these materials? Who could afford the time to create, to merely practice? This casual sketch embodies the privilege of leisure and artistic training. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered the privilege inherent in just possessing the time and resources for sketching. So, how does Breitner's choice of materials influence our interpretation of the work itself? Curator: The immediate availability of paper and pencil – everyday, almost disposable materials – contrasts sharply with the monumental oil paintings typically associated with "high art" landscape. This democratization of art-making challenges established hierarchies and forces us to consider what constitutes ‘art’ and its role in society. What is the labor behind this art, and how is that labor perceived and valued by the artistic institution? Editor: So, is he using these materials to make a point about art's accessibility, or is it just practical? Curator: It's probably both. He likely selected readily available materials that allow for quick, preparatory studies. Yet, these studies persist, now residing in a museum, elevating a preliminary study to the status of "art." It raises critical questions about value, production, and what institutions like the Rijksmuseum choose to enshrine as culturally significant. What does it say that a seemingly mundane drawing made with a common tool is deemed worthy of preservation? Editor: I see, it's like the means of production are almost as important as the image itself. That definitely gives me a new way to look at what seems like a simple sketch. Curator: Exactly. Understanding the materials and context surrounding "Bomen" reveals the underlying assumptions and power structures inherent in the art world.