Katten c. 1885 - 1898

Editor: So, this is *Katten*, or "Cats," by George Hendrik Breitner, dating from around 1885 to 1898. It’s a graphite and pencil drawing. It’s charming in its simplicity, but I am intrigued by its sketch-like quality. What does this tell us? What do you make of it? Curator: Precisely, that “sketch-like quality” provides insight into artistic practices and the institutional structures that validate certain kinds of art. We are seeing Breitner's private exploration, a glimpse into his working methods, perhaps never intended for public consumption. Editor: So this challenges traditional notions of “finished” artwork? Curator: Exactly! In the late 19th century, the rise of Impressionism was disrupting established academic artistic norms. But an informal sketch like this further complicates our understanding. It invites us to consider what role did the art market have on art making in Amsterdam at that time? Why was it eventually deemed worthy of display? Editor: It does make me think about access, who gets to see art, and who decides what’s important. Was Breitner critiquing something with this drawing, or do you think it might have simply been him just experimenting for himself? Curator: Breitner, known for capturing Amsterdam's street life, was certainly conscious of portraying the "everyday." But the later presentation of pieces such as *Katten* allows the modern audience to appreciate this, providing an insight into the artistic process, questioning traditional ideas about artistic skill and intention. Ultimately expanding our idea of what “art” could even mean. Editor: It's interesting to consider this drawing not just as a sketch but as a historical artifact reflecting shifting cultural values. Thanks, this perspective has changed my view on *Katten.* Curator: Likewise. I find it thought-provoking to trace how pieces initially created outside formal institutions enter museum collections and reshape our understanding of art history.