Interieur van een tram en figuurstudies c. 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this energetic sketch, "Interior of a Tram and Figure Studies," with graphite, probably right on the spot. It's all about capturing the fleeting moment, the movement, the vibe of being on a tram. Look how he quickly dashes off these figures, capturing their essence with minimal lines. It reminds me that art-making is a process of constant decision-making, editing, and refining. I love the way he leaves the ghost of a line lingering on the page. It's like he's thinking out loud, and we get to see his thought process. It's so much about the surface, the paper, and the pressure of the pencil. The way he captures the interior space of the tram in such a skeletal way is also interesting. It’s almost like the memory of a space, or the idea of a space, rather than a literal depiction. There's something very modern about it. Like Philip Guston, Breitner isn't afraid to let the awkwardness and ambiguity shine through. It's this very vulnerability that makes the work so compelling.