Dragonder in het zadel en twee hoofden 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this pencil drawing, titled 'Dragonder in het zadel en twee hoofden', or 'Dragoon in the Saddle and Two Heads', sometime between 1880 and 1923. It depicts a military figure in a somewhat caricatured style, typical of Breitner's interest in urban life and the Dutch military. Breitner was known for his unflinching portrayals of Amsterdam, capturing the city's working class and its military presence. This sketch, now in the Rijksmuseum, offers insight into the institutional role of the military within Dutch society and its relationship to the urban environment. The dragoon, a mounted infantryman, embodies a figure of authority and order. Understanding this drawing requires considering the social conditions of the Netherlands during Breitner's time, a period marked by industrialization and urbanization. The military played a crucial role in maintaining social control. We might research military records and social histories to better understand the cultural significance of such figures in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.