Boerderij 1884 - 1886

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, Boerderij, with charcoal on paper. Breitner was a key figure in the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, deeply invested in capturing the everyday life of the working class, often overshadowed in traditional art. His work provides a window into the rapidly changing urban and rural landscapes of the Netherlands at the turn of the century. Breitner, who was known for his melancholic and sometimes gritty depictions, seemed committed to representing the world as he experienced it. His art frequently highlights the stark realities faced by ordinary people. How might Breitner’s commitment to depicting everyday life challenge or reinforce existing social hierarchies? This sketch invites us to reflect on the dignity and beauty inherent in the ordinary. It's a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.