Twee dienstmeiden bij een paardentram 1893

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch with graphite on paper to capture a fleeting moment in the city. Breitner was interested in capturing the daily life around him, in this case, two maids and a horse-drawn tram, using readily available and affordable materials. The softness of the graphite allows for quick, expressive lines, perfect for capturing movement and light. The lined paper provides a subtle grid, grounding the sketch in the everyday reality of urban life. This choice of materials reflects a shift away from traditional academic art toward a more immediate and accessible form of expression. Breitner's sketch is an interesting document of its time. It invites us to consider the relationship between labor, transportation, and urban development. By focusing on the materials and processes of creation, we can appreciate how Breitner challenged conventional boundaries between high art and the depiction of everyday life.