Gezicht op de Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam c. 1895 - 1898

George Hendrik Breitner created this drawing, "Gezicht op de Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam," using graphite on paper. The composition is divided into two distinct sections, each filled with a flurry of lines that hint at architectural forms. The texture of the paper becomes integral to the artwork, its grain showing through the sparse application of graphite. The image is essentially a collection of lines, some tentatively placed, others more assertive, which destabilizes the traditional notion of a finished drawing. It reads almost like a deconstruction of form, revealing the underlying structure of how we perceive space and architecture. The sketchy quality of the lines challenges the viewer to piece together the implied reality, engaging with the semiotic system of drawing where lines serve as signs pointing to objects and spaces. Ultimately, this drawing invites us to contemplate the raw, fundamental elements of representation and the act of seeing itself, suggesting that the essence of an artwork lies not just in its final form but in the process and structure of its creation.