Figuren, mogelijk rond een tafel c. 1886 - 1923

This sketch, "Figuren, mogelijk rond een tafel," by George Hendrik Breitner, probably came about with charcoal on paper. Imagine Breitner quickly capturing a fleeting moment, maybe in a bustling café, trying to catch the essence of figures gathered around a table. I can almost feel the scratch of the charcoal on the page as the composition begins to take shape. There's a real urgency in the marks, a desire to capture the scene before it disappears. You can see the artist's hand moving swiftly, intuitively, building up a sense of depth and atmosphere with the charcoal. It reminds me of other quick sketches, a moment seized in time. There’s something about the vulnerability of this piece, the way it embraces imperfection and invites multiple readings, that’s really appealing. It shows how painting, like any conversation, is an ongoing dialogue across time.