Staande vrouw met hoed c. 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner sketched this "Standing Woman with Hat" at an unknown date, using graphite on paper, a medium that lends itself to spontaneity. The composition strikes a balance between presence and absence. The figure emerges tentatively from the blank canvas. Notice how the hat is defined by firm, almost geometric lines, whereas the rest of the figure dissolves into lighter, more amorphous strokes. This contrast draws attention to the hat, which serves as a focal point. It raises questions about the nature of representation itself: What does it mean to capture a subject? Is it possible to represent the entirety of a person, or do we always select and abstract certain features? The visible sketch lines are not merely representational tools but an integral part of the image. Breitner invites us to reflect on how we perceive the world through the fragmentary and the incomplete. This challenges us to reconsider the relationship between art, perception, and reality.