Studie, mogelijk van een ploeg 1884 - 1886

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, possibly of a plough, using graphite on paper. Breitner was working in Amsterdam at a time of rapid social and economic change, and many artists were turning their attention to the lives of ordinary people, a departure from traditional history painting or portraiture. Breitner's sketch might be seen in that context, although it’s not a straightforward celebration of rural life. It’s a quick study, an attempt to capture the form of the plough, which can only hint at the hard work and social conditions that such an object implies. The image is more about the artist's process of observation and recording, which became more and more common with the rise of impressionism. To better understand the significance of this work, we might look to contemporary accounts of agriculture and industry, or perhaps to the artist's other works. In doing so, we can move towards a richer appreciation of its meaning.