Lezende man 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch of a reading man with graphite on paper. The rough texture of the page is exposed in areas where the graphite is lightly applied, creating a visual interplay between the support and the medium. Breitner employed hatching and smudging, and varying degrees of pressure. Notice how the varying density creates depth and volume. It's a study in tonal variation. But consider, too, that drawing materials like these were and are inexpensive and ubiquitous. They can be found in studios and also the classrooms and offices. In this context, Breitner’s choice of humble materials elevates the everyday. A quick study becomes a potent image, reminding us that art can be found in the most unassuming of circumstances. It challenges the traditional hierarchy of art and craft, blurring the lines between the casual sketch and the finished masterpiece.