Studies van vrouwen c. 1891 - 1894

George Hendrik Breitner made these studies of women with a simple piece of graphite on paper. The roughness of the tool, and the speed with which it was wielded, are immediately apparent. The texture of the paper support also plays a key role. Breitner doesn't try to disguise it, instead allowing the tooth of the surface to grab the graphite, creating a broken, vibrant line. It is the kind of drawing most often associated with the creation process. The artist is not trying to produce a finished work of art here, but instead a quick impression, a fleeting record of his observations. The loose application of the graphite, almost like handwriting, tells us much about the artistic process. We see him thinking through the placement and posture of these figures, trying out various options, searching for the right gesture. In the end, Breitner’s sketch reminds us that even the most polished artwork is the result of labor. It bridges the gap between the finished artwork and the artist's creative practice, reminding us that art making is, fundamentally, a form of work.