Studie 1884 - 1886

This is a drawing by George Hendrik Breitner, rendered with graphite. At first glance, the quick sketch seems like a fleeting impression, yet it captures something enduring. Observe the form of what appears to be a woman's hat—a shape that has crowned human heads in various guises across time. This is not merely an object, but a symbol of status, identity, and protection, akin to a helmet or halo. Consider the many Madonnas swathed in veils, as well as other pieces of headgear. The hat has morphed in style, from elaborate headpieces of the Renaissance to the bonnets of the Dutch Golden Age, each iteration marking its epoch. But the symbolic impulse remains constant. The hat in Breitner's sketch, though simple, connects us to an archetypal form. It reminds us of the human need to adorn, protect, and project an image of ourselves into the world. And perhaps it reflects our collective memories and psychological associations.