Man met hoed c. 1886 - 1923

This graphite sketch of a 'Man met hoed' (Man with a hat) is by George Hendrik Breitner, and it lives at the Rijksmuseum. Imagine Breitner with his sketchbook, quickly capturing a fleeting impression. It's got that raw, immediate quality, like a visual note jotted down on the go. The lines are so sparse, so economical, yet they manage to convey a sense of character and atmosphere. I wonder what caught Breitner's eye? Was it the jaunty angle of the hat? The way the light hit his face? You can see the artist experimenting with shadow and form, using simple strokes to suggest depth and texture. Those dark scribbles on the left—they’re like a shorthand for a mood, a feeling. I can feel Breitner's spirit here. It reminds me that painting is an ongoing dialogue, where each artist builds on the work of those who came before, and inspires those who will come after.