Hoofd van een paard of ezel 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner made this study of a horse or donkey's head with graphite on paper. Graphite, like charcoal, is a fundamental drawing material because it allows for a wide range of tonal variation. Here, the artist has used smudging and hatching techniques, which take full advantage of graphite’s powdery consistency, to create the illusion of three-dimensionality. Graphite is extracted from the earth, then refined into leads for pencils. This transformation is important, as drawing becomes quick and direct. Breitner was known for his interest in the working class and the urban environment. He focused on immediacy and a snapshot aesthetic, and this drawing seems to capture an interest in the working animals that were part of Amsterdam’s urban fabric. By considering the material qualities of graphite and its applications, we can better understand its cultural significance and its role in capturing a fleeting moment. This challenges the traditional hierarchy of artistic mediums, where painting or sculpture are seen as more important.