Twee paardenhoofden 1893

Curator: Breitner's "Two Horses' Heads," dating back to 1893 and now housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the artist’s working method. It's a pencil drawing on paper. Editor: Immediately, I see something raw and urgent. The strokes are so immediate, giving it this feeling of being in the moment, of quickly trying to capture the essence of the animal. Curator: Precisely. Breitner was deeply embedded in the social fabric of Amsterdam, known for capturing working-class life and the dynamism of the city. The choice of subject matter, particularly working horses, reflects the urban environment and their crucial role in transport and labor. Editor: And the immediacy stems from the materials too, right? It's pencil on paper, so it suggests it's either a sketch from life or from notes, a kind of proto-photographic impulse rendered by hand. The quickness has a visual impact: look at how he layers those pencil marks. It speaks to an active mind, recording. Curator: The use of readily available materials, like paper and pencil, also aligns with the broader Realist and Impressionist movements happening then. These artists pushed against formal academic practices, finding authenticity in everyday subjects. Breitner seems especially committed to capturing a true sense of place and moment. He’s known for it, after all! Editor: And to add another point about its historicity, this sketch exists on pages seemingly taken directly from a calendar or planner. January 17th to the 20th are handwritten, appearing as if sketched across the four days in the month. I suppose that detail situates artmaking as part of Breitner’s daily labor and routine! Curator: Absolutely! It really does bridge a connection to the working methods and daily life of Breitner, and illuminates art-making in Amsterdam during the late 19th Century. Editor: I agree. Considering this was just a casual sketch on readily available materials brings another layer to my appreciation.