Annotaties c. 1903

George Hendrik Breitner created this annotation in the late 19th or early 20th century using ink on paper, and wow, what a busy surface of language! I can just imagine Breitner's hand, scratching across this page with fervent energy, trying to capture his thoughts. It's a field of writing, with numbers and words interweaving, some crossed out, like a painter layering colors, and reworking the composition, seeking that perfect balance. I bet he felt the same excitement as I do when approaching a canvas, not quite knowing where it will lead but trusting in the process. Maybe this page was a place for him to record his inspirations or ideas for paintings? The numbers could relate to the cost of materials or the dimensions of his work. The act of writing becomes a form of mark-making, a dance between intention and chance. It reminds me that as artists, we're all connected, speaking to one another across time and space.