Gezicht op gebouwen in Amsterdam, mogelijk bij het Oosterpark 1887 - 1891

George Hendrik Breitner created this drawing, “Gezicht op gebouwen in Amsterdam, mogelijk bij het Oosterpark”, with black chalk. The composition, dominated by stark contrasts and a sense of incompleteness, offers a glimpse into the artist’s observational process. Breitner’s drawing reflects a modern sensibility through its raw, unpolished aesthetic. The sketch destabilizes traditional artistic values by emphasizing process over product, aligning with the broader philosophical shift towards valuing subjective experience. Lines intersect and overlap, creating a semiotic system where each mark functions as a signifier of form and space. This challenges our perception, inviting us to construct our own interpretation of the urban landscape. Note the overall feeling of transience and fragmentation created by the artist’s expressive marks. This is a deliberate aesthetic choice which functions as part of a larger discourse on modernity and the changing experience of urban life.