Figuren bij een hoefsmid aan het Haarlemmerplein te Amsterdam 1907

This sketch of figures by a blacksmith near Haarlemmerplein in Amsterdam was made by George Hendrik Breitner. It's a simple drawing, just graphite on paper, but Breitner really captures a moment here, doesn't he? Look at the way he uses these quick, almost nervous lines to build the scene. There's a real sense of energy, like he’s trying to catch the feeling of this busy place before it disappears. I'm drawn to the contrast between the solid forms of the figures and the sketchy lines that suggest movement and activity. The way he lets some lines fade or dissolve adds to this feeling. You can almost hear the sounds of the city, the clanging of the hammer, the chatter of people passing by. It reminds me of Degas, but grittier, less romantic. Breitner is showing us the real, everyday Amsterdam, with all its rough edges and fleeting moments. It’s like a snapshot taken with a pencil.