Boektitels 1880 - 1882

This is a page from one of George Hendrik Breitner's sketchbooks. On it, we find transcriptions of book titles and authors, primarily dealing with religious and historical subjects. The presence of these titles is symbolic. Each title acts as a gateway into complex narratives of conflict, faith, and historical upheaval. The motif of textual reference appears in earlier art forms, such as medieval illuminated manuscripts, where scripture was both visually and textually emphasized. The act of copying these titles is not merely academic; it is a ritualistic invocation of the themes they represent. Consider how the act of writing itself has been charged with almost mystical power through the ages. It is how the knowledge of the past is preserved and passed down, evolving in meaning, and influencing how people perceive the world. In Breitner’s hands, the titles become relics, imbued with the emotional weight of human experience. This sketchbook page is an invitation to contemplate the cyclical nature of history and memory.