Landschap met cavaleristen c. 1876 - 1886

This is George Hendrik Breitner's sketch, "Landscape with Cavalrymen," housed here at the Rijksmuseum. With graphite on paper, Breitner captures a fleeting moment, a landscape punctuated by the presence of soldiers on horseback. Notice the immediacy conveyed through the loose, gestural lines. The composition is sparse, almost skeletal, focusing on the essential forms of the figures and their mounts. The horizon line is suggested, not defined, giving a sense of openness. Breitner uses the economy of line to create a sense of movement. The texture and materiality of the paper become integral to the artwork's aesthetic, lending it an unfinished quality. The sketch reflects the artist's interest in capturing the raw, unvarnished reality of urban and military life. This piece is not just a representation; it's an exploration of form and the expressive potential of simple lines.