Drie studies van een man, in profiel c. 1895 - 1898

George Hendrik Breitner made this pencil drawing, "Three Studies of a Man, in Profile", sometime before 1923. The immediate visual experience is one of intimacy, owing to the close framing and soft graphite lines that capture the sitter's likeness. Breitner uses line in a structural manner, building form and volume with simple strokes. Note how the variations in line weight create emphasis and depth, particularly around the facial features and the fall of the jacket. The absence of shading is notable, as the form is purely structural. Consider how this study functions as an investigation into form, rather than a polished presentation of social identity. The unfinished quality invites interpretation and highlights the artistic process. It reminds us that art, like life, is often about seeing and understanding rather than definitive statements.