Achterpoten 1880 - 1882

This sketch of horse hind legs was made by George Hendrik Breitner, using graphite on paper. The quick, decisive lines show the artist working rapidly, capturing the essential form and musculature. What is particularly compelling here is that Breitner was engaging in a practice rooted in academic tradition. The sketch was crucial for understanding animal anatomy and movement. The work's graphic quality emphasizes the artist's skill, trained through rigorous practice. Yet, Breitner was also deeply engaged with modern life, often depicting scenes of urban labor and industry. The choice of horse legs as a subject is interesting in this light. Horses were still essential for transportation and labor in Breitner's time. This simple sketch invites us to consider the relationship between artistic tradition and the realities of a society still reliant on animal power. It reminds us that even the most conventional materials and techniques can be used to reflect social and economic contexts.