Paarden en een landschap met bebouwing 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing, Paarden en een landschap met bebouwing, using graphite on paper. We don't know exactly when it was made, but it gives the impression of rapid execution. The graphite has a dry, granular quality which resists dense shading; Breitner is interested in the line itself, and the way it can capture a sense of movement with the greatest economy. The paper itself, a pale brown, is allowed to show through, which keeps the tonality light and airy. The image feels unfinished, more a study than a finished work of art. But that is precisely the point. Breitner seems to want to show us the bare bones of his process, as though inviting us into the studio. He shares not only the image, but also something of the labor and the quickness of hand that brought it into being. It is a glimpse into his world.