Studieblad met honden en annotaties 1896 - 1897

This sketch of dogs with annotations was rendered by George Hendrik Breitner with graphite on paper. Dogs, often symbols of loyalty and vigilance, have been companions to humans for millennia, appearing in art from ancient Egyptian tombs to classical Greek sculptures. Here, the dogs sketched in this notebook page seem to transcend their domestic role; instead, they embody a deeper connection to human emotion. Think of the Cerberus, the multi-headed dog guarding the gates of the Underworld. Or the dogs in Goya's paintings, symbols of human despair. The gesture of these dogs, quickly captured by Breitner, speaks to a sense of watchfulness, perhaps even anxiety. It is as if Breitner, through these canine figures, is tapping into a collective memory of protection, guidance, and companionship. These primal, archetypal roles connect us to our distant ancestors. The image, then, becomes a mirror, reflecting our deepest hopes and fears.