Figuren, mogelijk rond een tafel c. 1886 - 1923

This pencil sketch of figures, possibly around a table, was made by George Hendrik Breitner, and it's now at the Rijksmuseum. What I see here is a moment captured on paper, not labored over, but quickly laid down. You can feel the artist thinking and rethinking the scene, and his marks accumulate on the page as the composition slowly comes together. Look how Breitner uses the side of the pencil to shade in certain areas, contrasting with the sharp, clean lines that define the figures. The texture created is almost like a haze, softening the edges and blurring the distinction between the figures and the space they occupy. Notice the looping lines suggesting movement and activity. The eye travels around the page, piecing together the scene. This reminds me of Degas, who similarly used drawing to grasp the fleeting moments of modern life. Both artists embrace process and ambiguity, inviting us to participate in the act of seeing.