Schetsboek met 31 bladen c. 1894

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s sketchbook, created in the late 19th or early 20th century. Breitner was a Dutch painter and photographer known for his images of working-class life in Amsterdam. During this time, the Netherlands was undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization, leading to significant social changes. Breitner, as an artist with a keen eye for social realities, often focused on the lives of ordinary people, particularly women, laborers, and the urban poor. His work provides a glimpse into their daily struggles and resilience amid these changes. Breitner sought to capture the energy and dynamism of modern urban life. He documented the changing social fabric and the experiences of those often overlooked. As Breitner once said, "I see beauty in the ordinary, in the fleeting moments of everyday life." This sketchbook provides an intimate look into Breitner’s artistic process, revealing how he observed and engaged with the world around him.