Soldaten met geweren met bajonetten 1873

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of soldiers with rifles and bayonets using graphite on paper. Graphite, like charcoal, is a readily available material, which allows for quick sketching and the capture of fleeting moments. The hasty nature of the lines gives a sense of movement to the soldiers, and a feeling of the artist's immediate observation. The light touch of the graphite, combined with the stark white of the paper, creates a sense of openness and space around the figures. The relatively low cost of the materials could reflect Breitner’s intent to depict everyday life rather than high art. The sketch style and the depiction of soldiers with bayonets ready give a stark insight into the nature of military life, the soldiers appearing as ready-made, mass produced, and uniform. By focusing on readily available materials and a quick, observational style, Breitner blurs the lines between fine art and everyday documentation. The drawing invites us to consider the context of its making and the social realities it portrays.