Twee paarden 1910

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, Twee paarden, sometime between 1870 and 1923, and it’s a peek into his process. It’s all about capturing a fleeting moment, and the beauty of this kind of work lies in its openness, the feeling that it could go anywhere. The pencil work is tentative and exploratory, with lines that almost feel like they're feeling around for the form. There are certain lines, like the back of the horse, that are more firmly stated, which gives a sense of depth. The sketch isn’t overly concerned with detail, it’s more about capturing the essence and movement of these animals. What's interesting here is how it relates to Breitner’s photography. He was known for using photos as studies, and this sketch feels like another way of quickly grabbing information, a kind of visual note-taking. It makes me think of Degas, who also used photography and sketching in tandem to understand form and movement. It’s this ongoing conversation, across time, about how we see and represent the world.