Zittende vrouw 1867 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of a seated woman, using graphite on paper. Look closely, and you'll see the immediacy of the artist's hand. The quick, light strokes of graphite capture the essence of the figure with remarkable efficiency. The choice of graphite is significant. Unlike the laborious process of oil painting, sketching allowed Breitner to rapidly record his observations of modern life. The texture of the paper itself becomes part of the artwork, with the graphite catching on the surface to create subtle variations in tone. There's an intimate quality here, a glimpse into a private moment. By focusing on the material qualities and the making process, we can appreciate the artwork as a record of a specific time, place, and creative encounter. This blurs the boundaries between fine art and everyday experience.