Figuurstudies 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner created these figure studies in pencil. Breitner was a Dutch painter, an important figure in the Amsterdam Impressionism movement of the late 19th century. Here we see a page filled with quick sketches of faces, capturing fleeting expressions and angles. This sheet offers us a glimpse into Breitner's artistic process. In his time, the art academy dictated what was deemed acceptable art, often favouring historical or allegorical subjects. But Breitner, along with other Amsterdam Impressionists, sought to capture the everyday life around them. Breitner’s art embodies a shift away from traditional, academic art towards a more democratic and accessible representation of modern life. For scholars, studying the artist’s sketchbooks and personal notes provides valuable insight into the intellectual and social context of his work. It helps us to understand the artist's intentions. It also helps us to reflect on the broader social and cultural values that shaped artistic production during the late 19th century.