Studieblad met mannenhoofden c. 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of men’s heads on paper, and it lives in the Rijksmuseum. The pale paper is filled with delicate marks; a place where ideas are being worked out. Look at the layering of lines that create the lower head. It reminds me of those wire sculptures where the artist only uses line to create an entire 3D form. The lines feel light but have a tangible presence, you can almost feel the movement of the hand that drew them. The overall effect is airy and ephemeral. The quick notations of the heads gives the impression that Breitner was trying to capture a fleeting moment or idea. It's as if he was thinking on paper. To me this connects with the sketchbooks of Degas or Van Gogh, which have this same frenetic energy. It’s like we're witnessing their thoughts take shape, and that feels really special.