Annotaties 1896 - 1914

George Hendrik Breitner made this annotated page, we're not sure when, and with ink on paper. It's housed in the Rijksmuseum. I love that this is an artwork in and of itself; a sheet of paper with writing on it. It reminds us that art isn't just about the final product but about the process of thinking, writing, and creating. The creamy color of the page makes a stark contrast with the dark, decisive lines of the ink. There's a real rhythm and energy to the mark-making, the handwritten annotations dancing across the surface of the paper. Look at how the pressure varies, thick to thin, almost like a musical score. For me, the annotations suggest a kind of intimate dialogue or conversation. Maybe it's between the artist and a text they are reading, or a set of ideas they are considering. Breitner was a contemporary of Van Gogh, and his work has a similar focus on the gritty reality of modern life, but in these annotations, we see something more intimate, a glimpse into the artist's inner world. Ultimately, these notes are an invitation to contemplate the relationship between language, thought, and art-making.