Paarden 1887 - 1891

This drawing, "Paarden" (Horses), was created by George Hendrik Breitner, and is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. At first glance, the sketch presents a scene rendered with minimal lines on a neutral ground. The composition uses sparse lines to define forms and create an open, airy feeling. This deliberate choice brings forward the raw essence of the subject, inviting us to consider the interplay between presence and absence. The drawing's power lies in its structural reduction, where line becomes the primary vehicle for expression. The forms, suggested rather than fully defined, encourage the viewer to actively participate in completing the image. This evokes a sense of incompleteness but also an invitation to co-create the image. Breitner’s work prompts us to reconsider how much information is needed to convey meaning. Through this, the drawing challenges the traditional idea that art must mimic reality, suggesting instead that art's strength lies in its ability to distill and represent the core elements of an experience.