Buste van een man, in profiel 1884 - 1886

George Hendrik Breitner sketched "Buste van een man, in profiel" using black chalk, capturing a man’s bust in profile. Breitner, who lived through a period of significant social change and industrialization in the Netherlands, was deeply affected by the lives of ordinary people, particularly those on the margins of society. His interest in portraying everyday life often led him to capture fleeting moments and raw emotions. This drawing is striking in its intimacy; the man’s downcast gaze and the stark contrast of light and shadow evoke a sense of melancholy and introspection. Breitner's choice of subject challenges the traditional art's focus on the wealthy. What does it mean to see someone so vividly rendered, yet seemingly lost in thought? Breitner invites us to consider the hidden stories and emotional depths of individuals often overlooked, reflecting the broader societal shifts of his time.