Gezicht op Scheveningen 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this pencil drawing, titled "Gezicht op Scheveningen", sometime between 1880 and 1923, and it now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The sketch, quickly jotted down with a graphite pencil on paper, showcases an impression of a coastal view, likely captured on location. This directness, a hallmark of drawing, connects it intimately with the artist's immediate experience and perception. The pencil, a humble yet versatile tool, allows for the rapid translation of observed forms and light onto paper. The very act of sketching underscores the importance of process and the artist's hand. It is not just about the final image, but about the labor of seeing, selecting, and rendering that form the basis of artistic creation. The immediacy and the minimal nature of the sketch invite us to consider how the artist engaged with their subject. This challenges the traditional notion that value lies only in highly finished or polished works.