Annotaties c. 1900 - 1923

Editor: Right, next up we have 'Annotations', made between 1900 and 1923 by George Hendrik Breitner. It’s a mixed-media drawing, seemingly pencil on paper. There’s text scrawled all over the page, feels like a peek into someone’s messy notebook. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, Breitner's ‘Annotations.’ For me, it's like stumbling upon a fascinating archaeological find! Breitner, the quintessential chronicler of Amsterdam, often used sketchbooks to capture fleeting moments, impressions that he’d later translate into his paintings and photographs. This page, though, is less about a finished work and more about the artist's raw thought process. See the layers of text and doodles. It’s almost like a palimpsest, revealing Breitner's many layers. What strikes you most about the handwritten elements? Editor: It's all so jumbled. There are addresses, scribbles... what does it all mean? Curator: Exactly! And perhaps the meaning isn't so much about deciphering every word but understanding the overall impression. Look at the "Gebrs Simons" logo – it gives us a sense of place, an Amsterdam paper merchant. The addresses – maybe London? Perhaps he jotted down an exhibition venue or a friend's location. It’s this constant travel between the personal and the public, isn’t it? Breitner capturing snippets from his life in real time! Does that resonate with you at all? Editor: Yeah, that makes sense. Like a very arty version of my to-do lists! It makes it feel very accessible. Curator: Precisely. It humanises the artist, doesn’t it? It’s not just about grand artistic statements, it's also the minutiae of daily life that fuel creativity. A beautiful glimpse into Breitner’s creative chaos. Editor: Definitely changed how I see this piece now, it’s much more personal than I initially thought. Curator: Exactly, sometimes it's the apparent chaos that unlocks the deepest connections, isn’t it?