Gevels 1912

This is a sketch of "Gevels," or "Facades," made with graphite on paper by George Hendrik Breitner, and it now resides in the Rijksmuseum. Breitner lived through a time of rapid urbanization in Amsterdam, and he was known for capturing the city's dynamic street life and architectural scenes. In this sketch, we see more than just buildings; we see the weight of history embedded in their structures. The rough lines and stark contrast evoke the gritty reality of urban existence and the facade of progress that often conceals deeper social tensions. Breitner seems to ask: who occupies these spaces, and how do these walls define their lives? "I am not a painter for the salon," Breitner once declared. Indeed, his work brings forth the voices of the marginalized. This drawing encourages us to consider how our environment shapes us, and to reflect on the stories etched into every wall.