Hand en mogelijk een dier Possibly 1882 - 1886

This drawing, by George Hendrik Breitner, now at the Rijksmuseum, immediately strikes one with its unfinished quality, a fleeting capture rendered in delicate pencil strokes on paper. The composition centers on what appears to be a figure, possibly holding an animal. Breitner's sketch destabilizes our expectations of traditional portraiture. The form is suggested rather than defined, with lines that hint at shape and volume without fully enclosing them. This open form invites the viewer to participate in the act of creation, completing the image in their mind. The texture of the paper itself becomes integral to the artwork, its subtle grain interacting with the graphite to produce a range of tonal values. Breitner’s interest lies not in precise representation, but in the suggestive power of the sketch. This work challenges our perception of what constitutes a finished piece of art and what defines the role of the artist and the viewer in constructing meaning.