Toren van de Grote Kerk in Gorinchem 1882

George Hendrik Breitner created this drawing of the tower of the Grote Kerk in Gorinchem, using graphite. The work presents a somewhat tentative yet powerful sketch, dominated by the vertical thrust of the tower. Breitner's use of line is particularly striking, capturing the monumentality of the structure with an almost brutal simplicity. The sketch possesses an unfinished quality, typical of Breitner’s approach to urban scenes, where the immediacy of the impression takes precedence over meticulous detail. The lines vary in weight and density, giving a sense of depth and volume to the tower. The artist destabilizes traditional architectural representation by focusing on essential forms. This approach to line and form suggests an understanding of the city as a site of constant flux and reinterpretation. The sketch is not a mere depiction of a tower but an encounter with the urban environment.