Annotaties 1893

This is "Annotations", an undated page from a notebook by George Hendrik Breitner, held in the Rijksmuseum. It’s paper, simply printed with dates, and handwritten notes in ink. What makes this seemingly mundane object so compelling is that it gives us a direct connection to the artist’s life and working methods. Breitner was known for his unflinching depictions of everyday life in Amsterdam. He was very interested in photography, a medium that was still relatively new at the time, as a means of capturing fleeting moments, which may be the purpose of these sketches. Looking at the quick, informal jottings, it’s easy to imagine Breitner pausing to capture a thought or observation. The materiality of the notebook and the immediacy of the ink on paper create a sense of intimacy, as if we are looking over the artist's shoulder. He wasn't trying to produce finished artworks, he was using his skills of capturing light and form for his own benefit. This everyday artifact reminds us that art is not just about grand statements, but also about the small, personal moments that shape an artist's vision, and the materiality of the world around them.