Paardenhoofden 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, ‘Paardenhoofden’, using graphite on paper. Breitner lived in a time when the Netherlands was rapidly modernizing, and he became known for capturing the dynamism and grit of urban life, often focusing on the working class. What strikes me about this sketch is how it invites us into Breitner's process. The swift, confident strokes suggest a deep familiarity with his subject. Working horses were a common sight in Amsterdam, performing much of the heavy labor, and Breitner seemed drawn to their strength, and their vulnerability. The sketch, with its raw and immediate feel, seems to challenge traditional heroic depictions of animals. Breitner presents us with the working animal, caught in a moment of rest, their heads bowed, perhaps weary. It's a poignant reminder of the lives intertwined with the industrial surge of the era. It’s a moment of reflection on labor, and the lives, both human and animal, shaped by it.