Figuurstudie 1881 - 1883

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s pencil drawing, "Figuurstudie," housed at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner lived during a time of rapid urbanization and social change in the Netherlands. He was known for his gritty depictions of city life, and his work often focused on the working class and marginalized communities. Breitner, like many artists of his time, was interested in capturing fleeting moments and everyday life. This sketch offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s process, capturing a figure with a few strokes of the pencil. The gender of the figure isn't immediately clear; the loose lines allow for multiple readings, inviting us to consider the complexities of identity. What does this figure represent? Is it a study of a particular person, or is it an exploration of form and movement? Consider how Breitner’s sketch encourages us to look beyond the surface and engage with the emotional and social dimensions of the human form.