Paardentrams, mogelijk op de Dam in Amsterdam 1893 - 1894

George Hendrik Breitner sketched "Paardentrams, mogelijk op de Dam in Amsterdam" with pencil on paper, capturing a fleeting moment in the bustling heart of the city. This sketch, now held in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the changing urban landscape of Amsterdam. Made during a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization, Breitner’s sketch reflects the evolving social fabric of the Netherlands. The horse-drawn trams symbolize progress, yet also hint at the socio-economic divisions, as this new form of transport would have been more accessible to some than others. Breitner, known for his interest in the lives of ordinary people, might have used sketches like this to inform later works that captured the social realities of his time. To fully understand this sketch, we can consult city archives, transportation histories, and social commentaries from the period. By examining these resources, we can understand the role of art in documenting and commenting on a society in transition.