Dieren, onder andere vissen Possibly 1883 - 1886

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of animals in the Netherlands, sometime between 1880 and 1923. Breitner was very interested in the lives of ordinary people and he depicted them in a raw, unidealized way. His work challenged the traditional art establishment, which preferred more polished and idealized images. This sketch gives us a window into Breitner's artistic process, showing how he studied and captured the world around him. Here, his visual notes on animal forms are rendered with a quick, searching line. Breitner was part of a broader movement of artists who were interested in representing modern life, with all its grit and complexity. By looking at his sketches alongside his more finished works, and considering the social context in which he was working, we can gain a deeper appreciation for his contribution to Dutch art history. Historical records and archives let us see how Breitner helped shift the focus of art towards everyday life.