Paard 1887 - 1891

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of a horse using graphite on paper. It's a simple pairing of materials, and very direct. Graphite, essentially processed carbon, offers a broad spectrum, from light grey to near black, depending on the pressure applied. The paper is coarse, which gives a toothy quality to the line work, resulting in its broken and grainy textures. What interests me most is that this sketch is not made for public consumption, but as a study aid. Breitner was known for his paintings of working-class life, often featuring horses used for labor. This sketch gives us insight into his process of seeing and recording the world around him. The seemingly casual strokes capture the animal's form, but also hint at its social role as a beast of burden in the rapidly industrializing city. This piece invites us to consider the labor involved not just in the scene depicted, but also in the act of artistic creation itself. It collapses any assumed divide between fine art and the everyday experience of work.