Twee mannen c. 1886 - 1898

This sketch, titled "Two Men", was created by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner lived during a time of rapid urbanization and social change in the Netherlands, and was known for capturing the gritty realities of city life. In this candid study, Breitner’s quick, confident lines capture the figures in an intimate, unposed moment. The subjects, likely working-class men, are depicted without romanticism. There's an authenticity here; a rejection of idealized portrayals in favor of showing the everyday experiences of ordinary people. Breitner was interested in the real, lived experiences of people often ignored by mainstream art. Consider the emotional weight of bearing witness to the lives of others. Breitner’s work reminds us of the importance of seeing and acknowledging the diverse experiences that make up the fabric of society, and perhaps asking ourselves whose stories are being told, and whose are being left out.