A poignant graphite sketch by Aat Breur-Hibma depicting two figures carrying a sick person in a makeshift cloth stretcher.

This graphite sketch by Dutch artist Aat Breur-Hibma captures a sombre, observational moment. The composition focuses on two figures carrying a sick person, who is wrapped within a makeshift cloth stretcher. The drawing style is direct and functional, prioritising the mechanics of the movement over decorative finish. The artist uses light, gestural lines to define the figures, their heavy aprons, and the sagging weight of the cloth.

Breur-Hibma, known for her work during the Second World War, often documented the harsh realities of life in concentration camps. Her sketches from this period serve as a visual record of human suffering and the small, often desperate acts of care that occurred under extreme conditions. The rough, torn edges of the paper suggest this was a working study, likely produced in a situation where materials were scarce and the need for documentation was immediate.

The figures are depicted in simple, utilitarian clothing, their forms rendered with minimal shading. The focus remains entirely on the act of transport, conveying a sense of urgency and fragility. By stripping away background detail, the artist directs the viewer's attention to the physical burden shared by the two carriers. This work provides a glimpse into the artist's practice of recording the daily struggles of those around her, offering a stark, unadorned perspective on historical events. It is a piece that relies on the economy of line to communicate the gravity of the subject matter, avoiding sentimentality in favour of a clear, observational approach.