Bebouwing 1881 - 1883

This drawing, "Bebouwing," was made by George Hendrik Breitner with graphite on paper. The marks are quickly laid down; not exactly casual, but certainly efficient. Breitner was a master of capturing the built environment, and you can see here that he's not interested in a polished representation. The choice of graphite, a readily available and inexpensive material, signals Breitner's focus: to capture the dynamism of urban life, perhaps even on the go. Note the contrast in the work to the architecture; the buildings represent something stable and permanent in society, while the raw qualities of the graphite drawing underscore the fleeting moments of everyday experience. By embracing such a direct, almost reportorial method, Breitner democratized art-making, bringing it closer to the rapid pace and accessibility of modern life, challenging traditional notions of high art.